Pray with Faith

GETTING STARTED

Do you believe that God answers prayer? I know we all say that we do, but do we really believe it? Do we ask in confidence? Are we hopeful as we cry out to our Heavenly Father? If we did and were, I think it would change the nature and posture of our prayer lives. We all tend to forget that the God of the universe, the God who brought this whole thing about by speaking, loves to hear and answer the prayers of his people. From our passage today, we learn that our faith in praying matters.

  • How do you approach prayer?

READ THE WORD: JAMES 5:13-18 (ESV)

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What three examples did James give of times when we should pray (vss. 13-14)? How should we respond during these times?
  2. Why is the qualification “of faith” an important part of prayer (vs. 15)?
  3. The consequences of our personal sin affect us spiritually, and sometimes even physically. However, in verse 15, what word helps us understand that not all sickness is a result of sin?
  4. What is the significance of the “therefore” in verse 16? What is one purpose of confession and prayer? Are there people in your life to whom you confess sin and pray with?
  5. How does the reminder that Elijah was just a human being, like us, encourage your prayer life (vss. 17-18)?

RESPOND TO GOD

This is an encouraging and challenging passage! It encourages us because God and the leaders he has appointed over us care about us, even about our physical health. It is challenging in that it calls us to increase our faith. It makes me think of Jesus’ gentle rebuke of the disciples: “Oh, you of little faith.” James bids us to be righteous because the prayers of a righteous person are effective (or as the old King Jimmy says, “availeth much”). May we have faith that God will answer when we pray!

  • Thank God for caring for you and hearing your prayers.
  • Ask the Lord to increase your faith in his power and goodness.