We are going to look at the significance of prayer in our lives and how it includes accountability.
James 5:13-18
- 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praise.
- Suffering and affliction are a part of life. Whether you are a Christian or not, we all will experience suffering.
- Some afflictions are self-inflicted.
- Nevertheless, the command is to pray.
- This first section could be understood in two ways:
- If you are suffering, then pray.
- If you know someone is suffering, then pray for them.
- Suffering and affliction are a part of life. Whether you are a Christian or not, we all will experience suffering.
- 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
- There are times we find ourselves ill because we as believers entertain sin. Sin always has consequences. All me to clarify, not all sickness is due to sin. However, some Christians fellowship with demonic activity dismissing the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
- The command is for the sick to reach out to the Elders for prayer.
- Likewise, when the Elders pray, anoint, and do this by faith, God can restore the individual who is sick.
- It takes humility to reach out for prayer from the leaders of the church, especially if sin has taken root.
- But the promise of the one who confesses is not condemnation, but forgiveness.
- Anointing oil had healing properties in them and brought gladness to those who began to feel better.
- There are times we find ourselves ill because we as believers entertain sin. Sin always has consequences. All me to clarify, not all sickness is due to sin. However, some Christians fellowship with demonic activity dismissing the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
- 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.
- James now challenges us to confess our sins (regularly in transparency) one to another, so that we may pray for one another. Another term for this accountability through prayer.
- God has not called you to stay in bondage, but to live in the freedom of forgiveness.
- Your identity is in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the bible declares we are God's righteousness in Christ. When a brother/sister that is walking upright with God, and they come along side and bear our burdens (Galatians 6:2) in prayer, those prayers made on our behalf become effective.
- The depression dissolves
- The fear turns to comfort
- Sadness turns to joy
- Condemnation turns to forgiveness
- That estranged feeling with God turns back to peaceful fellowship with God
- James now challenges us to confess our sins (regularly in transparency) one to another, so that we may pray for one another. Another term for this accountability through prayer.
- 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
- James references Elijah (I Kings 17 and 18) to encourage us. Elijah was a prophet who commanded (prayed) for no rain to fall for 3.5 years during the reign of King Ahab. Then he prayed for the rain to return. Notice James says that Elijah was a man like us. There is no distinction or difference between the Prophet Elijah and us.
- James wants us to believe that our prayers are just as significant and as powerful as Elijah's prayers were. But keep in mind that Elijah obeyed the Lord, revealing how he was in right relationship with God (Righteous).
- At the same time, Elijah had very weak moments as a man of God.
- It was God's will to dry the land out. Likewise, when our prayers are answered and revealed as accomplished, it is because our will is subject to His will and our words of prayer are in alignment with God.
- James wants us to believe that our prayers are just as significant and as powerful as Elijah's prayers were. But keep in mind that Elijah obeyed the Lord, revealing how he was in right relationship with God (Righteous).
- James references Elijah (I Kings 17 and 18) to encourage us. Elijah was a prophet who commanded (prayed) for no rain to fall for 3.5 years during the reign of King Ahab. Then he prayed for the rain to return. Notice James says that Elijah was a man like us. There is no distinction or difference between the Prophet Elijah and us.