The Book Of James: The Prayer Of Faith

James 5:13-16 NIV

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Prayer is the difference between the  I can do and the best  can do. 

What does prayer actually do?

1. Prayer puts my  in the hands of an  God. 

James 5:13 NIV

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. 

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.   

Matthew 6:10 NIV

“…your kingdom come, your will be done…” 

2. Prayer puts my  situation in the hands of an  God.

James 5:14-15 NIV

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. 

Romans 4:18-21 NLT

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father
of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 

3. Prayer puts my broken  in the hands of an  God. 

James 5:15-16 NIV

If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 The Message

In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. 

Romans 10:13 NLT

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” 

James 5:17-18 NIV

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 

1 Kings 17:1 NIV

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”  

How to build your faith:

1. Faith  with a Word from the Lord. 

Romans 10:17 NKJV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Joshua 24:15 NLT

“But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” 

Psalm 91:2-3 NLT

This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 

Philippians 4:19 NIV

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 

Psalm 121:1-3 TPT

I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection come only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. 

1 Kings 18:41-42 NIV

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So, Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

2. Faith  when we don’t give up. 

1 Kings 18:43-44 NIV

“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” 

Hebrews 10:36-39 NIV

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. 

1 Kings 18:45-46 NIV

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. 

3. Faith  when we stop limiting God to our natural and start trusting Him for His supernatural. 

Matthew 19:26 NIV

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

James 5:19-20 NIV

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. 

The Greatest Miracle of All: Eternal life.