The Power of Prayer

Things are not as they always seem.

Sometimes what we see doesn’t at first make sense to us. This is especially true if we are unfamiliar with a practice of another culture or person.

We need to live integrated lives.

This is part of what James has been teaching us. As we gather into Holy Week, and I hope you will join me for more worship times, we see that Jesus was completely a man of integrity. He integrated all of himself into his life. There was no such things as compartmentalization.

We are biological, mental, emotional, social and spiritual people.

Having a holistic and integrated mindset means we must realize each of these components influence one another. When one is off others may be off. The same is true as we think about salvation: Jesus didn’t just come to save us spiritually but also save us in the other areas. He wants to redeem our minds, bodies, hearts and relationships not just our souls.

God is sovereign.

This means he is always in control, always knows what is happening and has a plan in mind. This is a great truth of Scripture. We cannot forget this.

We cannot be passive or resign in our faith.

Just because God is sovereign we do not get the ability to just wait about doing nothing. God’s sovereignty does not mean we do not have responsibility to act out His sovereignty or our faith.

Prayer is important.

As James comes to a close he reminds the early church and us the importance of prayer. This is one of those areas where things are not always as they seem.

Prayer is powerful.

Not only is it important it is powerful. Prayer changes things. Prayer is where the spiritual and physical worlds/dimensions meet. Prayer is hardwired into our universe, as my mentor in ministry as impressed on me.

What about prayers unanswered?

This text brings to light an hard but necessary topic we must try to answer; what about those we pray for who are not healed? Does James not say that the prayer offered in faith will make them well? Yes and no.

Unanswered prayer does not always mean lack of faith.

Please hear this point. James is not giving us a formula that means all people will be healed if we do these things.

Prayer will always submit to God’s plan.

This is why we must first have wisdom.

In prayer we discern God’s heart and plan.

Those who practice the art and time of prayer will start to learn how to pray for people in a way that reveals God’s heart and is answered.

We are like Elijah.

Praying is not for just a select few, though some are called to be intercessors I believe. Elijah was not a super-human or super-faith, he was ordinary like you and me. Like you kids.

The church which ceases to pray ceases to exist.

This is my firm believe. This is why when I came here one of the first things I did was re-start our mid-week time of prayer. I know this church has always been a praying church, this is the spiritual legacy we have been given, but we must set aside the time and space for intentional prayer. Those of you who have come in the past 5 years are here because you were prayed for.

We can block the power of prayer.

Sin, un-forgiveness, not confessing to others, etc. will block the power of prayer. Trying to do it on your own will block the power of prayer.

We do this together!

INdividual prayer is important. Individual confessing of sins is important. But we cannot forget we are social beings.