Prayer is Powerful

Prayer is Powerful

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 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 offered in 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. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

James’ assumptions about prayer:

James’ assumptions about prayer:

1. Prayer makes a dent in the world

James’ assumptions about prayer:

1. Prayer makes a dent in the world

2. The local church has a ministry of healing prayer.

James’ threefold framework for healing prayer:

James’ threefold framework for healing prayer:

1. Anointing with oil

James’ threefold framework for healing prayer:

1. Anointing with oil2. “Prayer of faith”

James’ threefold framework for healing prayer:

1. Anointing with oil2. “Prayer of faith”3. Confession of sins

Anointing with oil:

Anointing with oil:

1. Medicine

Anointing with oil:

1. Medicine2. Symbolic of the Holy Spirit

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

1. Not a “prayer of certainty”

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

1. Not a “prayer of certainty”2. Not a “prayer without

doubts”

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

1. Not a “prayer of certainty”2. Not a “prayer without

doubts”3. Not a “command”

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

It is a very simple, humble and specific request.

Prayer over the person – “Prayer of Faith”

It is a very simple, humble and specific request.

“I believe that you can, and I am hopeful that you will.”

Confession of sins.

Confession of sins.

1. Often spiritual and emotional issues undermine physical health.

Confession of sins.

1. Often spiritual and emotional issues undermine physical health.

2. Often spiritual healing will cause physical healing.

Confession of sins.

1. Often spiritual and emotional issues undermine physical health.

2. Often spiritual healing will cause physical healing.

3. Often we see our real spiritual condition when confronted with the weakness of our bodies.

15 and the prayer offered in 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.

15 and the prayer offered in 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. Some translations read, “will heal the one who is sick.”

15 and the prayer offered in 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. Some translations read, “will heal the one who is sick.”

It cannot mean just that.

If a simplistic reading is true, then any prayer that goes unanswered means one of two things:

If a simplistic reading is true, then any prayer that goes unanswered means one of two things:

1. The pray-er lacked faith

If a simplistic reading is true, then any prayer that goes unanswered means one of two things:

1. The pray-er lacked faith2. The pray-ee lacked faith

If a simplistic reading is true, then any prayer that goes unanswered means one of two things:

1. The pray-er lacked faith2. The pray-ee lacked faith

Scripture tells us it is not that simple.

Concerning this, I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 2 Corinthians 12:8

Concerning this, I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 2 Corinthians 12:8Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Luke 22:42

Jesus prayed in perfect faith and in perfect righteousness.

Yet was denied His request.

He was not turned down because He lacked faith . . .

He was not turned down because He lacked faith . . . He lacked knowledge.

He was not turned down because He lacked faith . . . He lacked knowledge.

In His human form He was limited from His complete knowledge in His Godly form.

Our prayers are always based on incomplete knowledge.

Our prayers are always based on incomplete knowledge.

Therefore it would be entirely criminal for God to say, “whatever you fervently, and faithfully ask for, I will do.”

“God will either give you what you ask, or give you what your would have asked if you knew everything He knows.” – Because He loves you.

The “Prayer of Faith” is therefore as we stated earlier:

The “Prayer of Faith” is therefore as we stated earlier:

“Dear Father, I believe that you can, and I am hopeful that you will.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

The power of prayer is found at the intersection of our faithful, yet imperfect knowledge . . .

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

The power of prayer is found at the intersection of our faithful, yet imperfect knowledge . . . colliding with His great love and perfect understanding.

Prayer is Powerful