s20090726m_Prayers Are Powerful and Effective

Prayers Are Powerful and Effective—James 5.13-16

10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” James 5.16b

Prayers are Powerful and Effective When:

I Am In [TROUBLE].

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.” James 5.13a

17The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34:17-20

I Am [HAPPY].

“Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5.13b

2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:2-3

I Am [SICK OR SINFUL].

14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” James 5:14-16

16If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 1 John 5:16-17

KEY: Trouble, Happy, Sick or sinful.