Prayer: Prayer: Trusting in the Power of God Part 2

Book James Church New Hope Baptist Date 15 December 2024

Bible Reading: James 5:13-20 Scripture Ref: James 5:15-18

Introduction

Good morning. Welcome back to our series in James. We are continuing our study from last month in trusting the power of God in prayer. Please open your Bibles with me to James 5:13:20 and let’s stand to read.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, recognizing that You are the Great Physician, the One who heals both our bodies and our souls. Thank You for the truth of Your Word, which reminds us of Your incredible power through our prayer and the importance of faith, confession, and intercession.

Lord, we confess that too often we neglect to pray, relying on our own strength or turning to other solutions first. Forgive us for our lack of faith and dependence on You. Help us to remember that prayer is not a last resort but the first step in every trial, sickness, and struggle. We pray that You would stir our hearts to pray fervently, trusting in Your will and Your timing.

May we be a church that lifts one another up in prayer, confessing our sins and praying for restoration. Teach us to pray with the faith that You are able to heal, forgive, and restore, according to Your perfect will.

As we reflect on Your Word today, open our hearts to receive Your truth. May we be encouraged to seek You in prayer, to confess to one another, and to pray with boldness and confidence. May our worship today reflect our trust in You, and may our prayers be pleasing in Your sight.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer: Trusting in the Power of God Part 2

Create a Propositional Statement with the 3 points

Are we, as a church, truly living in the power of prayer, or have we become passive in our prayer lives, failing to trust God’s power to heal, restore, and transform us?

In James 5:15-18, James challenges us to understand that prayer is not just a passive mindless activity but a powerful means by which God works in our lives. This passage calls us to recognize the power, practice, and persistence of prayer.

· The Power of Faith-Filled Prayer (v. 15)

· The Practice of Confessional Prayer (v. 16)

· The Persistence of Elijah’s Prayer (vv. 17-18)

As we reflect on these truths, we are challenged to deepen our commitment to prayer, so that our lives will be transformed and that God will be given the glory in our prayers.

1 The Power of Faith-Filled Prayer (v. 15)

15And the prayer of faith

shall save the sick,

and the Lord shall raise him up;

and if he have committed sins,

they shall be forgiven him.

James exhorts the church by presenting contrasting experiences of life. He focuses on a specific scenario of affliction: a spiritually weak brother who humbly acknowledges his need, calls for the elders, and receives prayer and comfort.

Look at the beginning of verse 15.

James highlights the phrase “the prayer of faith.” This is no ordinary prayer. It is neither superstition nor mysticism, nor is it driven by human will or natural self-generated faith.

Rather, it is a prayer deeply dependent on God, the sovereign one who allows affliction and brings healing.

The focus here is not on the internal strength of the believer's faith but on the infinite greatness of the God in whom they trust.

James had already emphasized this kind of faith in James 1:6: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

If our faith is based on faith itself rather than on God, we are relying on ourselves—on our willpower, feelings, emotions, and a heart that is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Such self-reliance is misplaced and unbiblical because true faith must be rooted in God, His character, and His promises, not in our own abilities or subjective experiences. Our faith is not in our faith but in God.

Faith is the foundation of prayer; it enables us to approach God with confidence, trusting His will and power to act.

Beloved, I hope you see the blessing we have in prayer of faith! God provides prayer as a means of grace, allowing us to commune with Him, and gives us faith to access that grace. Without faith, prayer is powerless. Without faith, there is no justification, salvation, or sustaining grace.

We see that faith and prayer are interdependent.

Faith fuels prayer, giving us confidence to approach God. In turn, prayer strengthens faith as we witness God’s answers, deepening our trust in Him.

However, our prayers must not come from entitlement, as if God is obligated to act on our terms. Beloved, we approach Him as beggars, utterly dependent on His mercy.

James reminds us in James 4:15:

“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Every prayer must align with God’s will, not our own desires.

Beloved, how can we expect God to answer if we’re not seeking His will?

How can we know His will if we neglect the study of His word?

How can we discern His guidance if we only turn to Him as a last resort? Treating God as a backup plan reflects neither trust nor a prayer of faith.

James provides an example of genuine faith when the elders pray over a weak brother. Their prayer trusts God to heal but does not demand it. They rely not on their own power, position nor authority but on God’s sovereign will, goodness and mercy.

Contrast this with modern healing crusades, where people are pressured to summon more faith as though healing depends on human will, effort and positivity.

When healing doesn’t come, the blame is often placed on the individual for lacking “enough” faith. But what does “enough” even mean? Can faith be measured on a scale to determine its weight, strength, or quality? Such an approach distorts biblical faith.

Faith is not about its perceived strength or quality but about trusting in the sovereign and gracious God. Healing is always subject to God's will, and a lack of healing does not indicate insufficient faith. Instead, believers are called to trust God's purposes, whether He chooses to heal or not.

True faith trusts in God alone, resting in His perfect sovereignty, infinite wisdom, and impeccable timing. It humbly acknowledges that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). True faith depends fully on God, believing that His plans are always for our good and His glory, even when they differ from our desires (Romans 8:28).

So, loved ones, when God does not grant your prayer as you hoped, it is not an unanswered prayer. God has indeed answered—His answer may simply be, “No.”

His “No” is never unkind or arbitrary but is always rooted in His perfect love and knowledge of what is best for us (Hebrews 12:10). It may be a call to trust Him more deeply, to wait patiently, or to accept a greater purpose we cannot yet see.

Let us remember: a “No” from God is as much an act of His grace as His “Yes.” It is an invitation to surrender, to trust in His greater plan, and to rest in the assurance that He is working all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

Similarly, practices like administering Last Rites assume that rituals can secure salvation or forgiveness at the moment of death, but this is unbiblical.

In this passage, James exhorts believers. The afflicted Christian, suffering in spiritual weakness, is a believer. The elders whom the afflicted Christian calls upon are also believers. This is a matter concerning the church, emphasizing mutual care, prayer, and spiritual support within the body of Christ. It is not about offering prayers for someone on their deathbed who is not a believer to prepare their soul for eternity.

Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone—not through rituals or final sacraments. Faith in God, not human intermediaries, is what truly matters.

Forgiveness of sins comes through Christ alone, not through priests.

James reminds us: "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:12

Moreover, the assurance of salvation is found solely in Christ, not through any man or ritual. Paul declares: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

Look at the next phrase in verse 15, which describes what happens when the prayer offered is one of faith: “The prayer of faith “shall” save the sick.”

This word “shall” define for us how sure and certain the sick will be saved.

Beloved, this is a bold claim that we as believers often struggle to fully trust. That’s why James specifies the kind of prayer he is referring to—it is a prayer “of” faith.

I hope you grasp this and let me emphasize once again: the prayer of faith shall save the sick because the faith at work here does not depend on the individual. It doesn’t originate from within us. It’s not drawn from feelings, emotions, willpower, determination, positivity, or even the quality and strength of the elder’s faith. This is not inherent faith.

Instead, it rests entirely on God, who graciously grants this gift of faith by His sovereign will. This faith is God’s gift by His grace.

Last month, we focused on and established the translation of the word “sick” in verse 14 which in Greek is ἀσθενέω (astheneo) and determined that, in the context of James, it refers to spiritual weakness, not physical ailments.

This brings us to the intriguing phrase "save the sick" in the middle of verse 15.

Interestingly, the word "save" in Greek is σῴζω (sōzō), which can mean to deliver, restore, or rescue. While many translations use "save," a more literal translation could be "restore" to emphasize the idea of spiritual restoration.

The term here implies rescuing someone from a state of spiritual weakness, distress, or defeat. As we saw last month, the context here is clearly about spiritual restoration rather than physical healing.

The word "sick" in this verse is not the same as ἀσθενέω (astheneo) from verse 14. Instead, it’s κάμνω (kamnō), which doesn't mean "sick" in the traditional physical sense, but rather refers to labouring under disease, growing weary, or fainting.

This reinforces our understanding that James is addressing spiritual weariness or exhaustion, not physical illness.

James is exhorting the church: the weak brother, who is spiritually exhausted, should call for the elders, and the elders should restore the spiritually weary, distressed, and defeated brother to spiritual wholeness through a prayer of faith.

Look at the third line in verse 15 that shows who is restoring the spiritually weak, exhausted, and distressed brother: "and the Lord shall raise him up;"

**Do you see that it’s not the elders who restore the spiritually weary brother? How can the Roman Church perform the ritual of Last Rites, elevate man to a position of power and authority, and give false hope to an unbeliever—someone who has never known God personally or experienced God’s salvation through faith? How can this ritual give false confidence to those witnessing it?

Beloved, let us praise God for using elders as the means of ministry and service to intercede for and restore a spiritually distressed brother. This is mercy and grace given to the church. But let us not remove God from the equation or take away the glory and worship He rightfully deserves.

**The power of faith-filled prayer is rooted in our Savior, Christ, who intercedes for His people. Christ is our mediator, the one who gives us faith, the one who sits at the right hand of God, and the one who stands before God to cover our sin and shame. It is through Him, for Him, and in Him that we have the means to pray in faith. Christ alone!

And beloved, we shouldn’t wait for someone to be on their deathbed to share the gospel with them. We must remember what God’s Word says:

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." —James 4:14

Loved ones, since we know that our life is but a vapor, we have the responsibility not to wait for tomorrow.

The Word of God also says:

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." —James 4:17

We ought to submit to God’s call and be the ones to pray over our loved ones, intercede for them, and be the means by which God will declare His glory in their lives and save them from their sin.

Look at the last line of verse 15: and if he (the brother in affliction) have committed sins,

they (the sins this weary brother has committed) shall be forgiven him (the same brother who calls for the elders).

I love how James includes this conditional comforting promise at the end of the verse. It further confirms that this passage does not support the idea of gift of physical healing, nor does it endorse the ritual of Last Rites.

Instead, it emphasizes the spiritual restoration and forgiveness that comes through humble repentance, prayer, and God’s grace.

The Bible nowhere teaches that all sickness is the direct result of an individual’s sins. Spiritual defeat, however, is often both the cause and result of sin.

By John MacArthur Commentary on James

So loved ones, do you now realise the Power of Faith-filled prayer? We are reminded of the transformative strength found in prayer that is rooted in faith. Such prayer is not about the strength of the one praying but the greatness of the God to whom we pray.

This truth calls us to humility and dependence, urging us to seek God fervently in times of spiritual weakness. As a church, it challenges us to be a community that prays together, bearing one another’s burdens and supporting those in distress.

Let us trust in the power of faith-filled prayer, knowing that God is faithful to forgive, restore, and strengthen for His glory. Having seen the power of faith-filled prayer in verse 15, James now moves to emphasize the importance of confessional prayer, highlighting how mutual confession and intercession within the church strengthen both our relationship with God and one another (v. 16).

2 The Practice of Confessional Prayer (v16)

16Confess your faults

one “to “another,

and pray one “for” another,

(so) that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I want you to carefully consider the two imperative commands, “confess” and “pray,” in James 5:16. Both verbs are in the present tense, emphasizing continuous, habitual actions.

To confess means to openly and fully acknowledge sins, offenses, and falling short of God’s standards. So we should be acknowledging our sins one to another.

To pray means to approach God with petitions of repentance, seeking His mercy, forgiveness, grace, and strength. So that means, we should be praying one for another.

Given that these commands involve ongoing actions, what is their importance and significance?

This mean that confessing faults to one another and praying for one another should be a regular and vital practice among believers.

The habit of practicing confessional prayer should be evident in the life of the church.

This also means that beforean afflicted, spiritually weary brother calls for the elders, he should already have been confessing his faults and sharing his struggles with the elders. Together, they should have been praying about his trials, afflictions, suffering, and spiritual challenges before the weak brother calls for them.

Furthermore, the elders should already be aware of the struggles faced by their congregation and should have been faithfully praying for this brother in their personal time with God.

The act of confessing and praying, as commanded in this verse, should not begin only when the brother calls for the elders. Instead, it should already have been a continuous and ongoing practice within the body of Christ.

One of my fondest memories as a child was attending Wednesday night Prayer Meetings. People would openly share their lives with the church—their challenges, difficulties, and trials. Our pastor would then ask the congregation if there were any “unspoken requests.”

Now beloved let me be clear. This passage does not promote indiscriminate public confession. Rather, it advocates for mutual, “personal” confession, particularly with trusted elders, as a means of fostering humility, accountability, and spiritual strength. It calls for honest, transparent, and trusted relationships between elders and members.

As a church, we encourage our people to come freely and without hesitation to the pastors for prayer. We invite all to make your petition be made known in the congregation so that we can all pray for one another.

But do you know the sobering reality? Our pastors are unaware of what the congregation is truly going through. They do not know our spiritual struggles, challenges, and sins we are battling. This should not be so among us.

The Word of God admonishes us to make confession of faults and sins a normal and necessary practicebecause it fosters transparency, humility, and mutual accountability within the body of Christ.

This openness strengthens our community, enabling our pastors and elders to minister effectively and allowing us to bear one another’s burdens in love. It gives sense and purpose to the prayer offered in faith.

This passage calls for a renewal of our minds and practices. When an afflicted brother calls for the elders, the elders should already be aware of his situation before they arrive. They should come prepared to minister and serve him effectively.

James addresses a similar principle earlier in his letter:

James 2:15–16 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Yes, we need the prayer of faith. However, faith without works is dead. The elders are tasked not only with praying for the spiritually weak brother but also with anointing him with oil—an act that is both symbolic and practical, signifying physical relief and restoration for the spiritually weary.

Confession of sins and prayer are integral to the healing process because they restore broken relationships with God and others.

Consider the last line of verse 16: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Notice how James emphasizes the importance of practicing habitual confessional prayer with this declaration. He describes it as “effective,” meaning it is active and powerful. The Greek word for “effective” is ἐνεργέω (energeō), from which we derive the word "energy."

This signifies that the prayer of faith is effective not because of the inherent ability of the elders or the one praying, but because it is empowered by God. James says, the Lord shall raise him up.

What kind of man makes prayer effective or empowered by God? A “righteous man”—not someone who is perfect, but one who is in right standing with God through faith and obedience to His commands. The righteous man is not righteous by his own merit but through faith in Christ, who imputes His perfect righteousness to believers (2 Corinthians 5:21). The fervency described reflects the believer's heartfelt reliance on God, empowered by the Spirit of Christ, who intercedes for us (Romans 8:34).

This fervent prayer mirrors Christ’s own intercession for His people, demonstrating dependence on the Father's will. Thus, the power and effectiveness of prayer do not rest on human effort or passion but on the finished work of Christ and His continuing intercession on behalf of believers.

Proverbs 15:29 reminds us: “The Lord is far from the wicked: But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”

As individuals, we are called to fervent, heartfelt prayer for one another, confessing our sins to trusted believers with humility and seeking spiritual restoration. We must trust in God’s sovereign will, recognizing that His answers—whether “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait”—are always for our ultimate good and His glory.

As a church, we must foster a culture of mutual accountability and prayer, ensuring that members feel safe to share their burdens without fear of judgment. Elders and leaders must actively pray for the weak and weary, providing both spiritual and practical support. We must repent of prayerlessness, pride, and self-reliance, embracing confession and intercession as vital expressions of faith.

Let us worship God for His grace, His faithfulness to hear our prayers, and His promise to heal and restore. As a church, let us be a praying, confessing, and trusting people, relying fully on God’s power to heal and renew.

As we reflect on the power and effectiveness of confessional prayer in verse 16, James now directs our attention to two powerful examples of persistent prayer in verses 17 and 18.

3 The Persistence of Elijah’s Prayer (vv17-18)

17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly

that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth

by the space of three years and six months.

18And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.

To demonstrate the power of faith-filled prayer, James uses Elijah (the Greek form "Elias") as an example to support his argument for the effectiveness of prayer.

James begins by describing Elijah: “Elijah was a man.” (James 5:17)

Why is this significant?

Elijah’s humanity dispels the misconception that effective prayer is reserved for prophets or spiritual elites. The power of Elijah’s prayer was not in him but in God, who answered it.

Elijah’s human nature reminds us that prayer is not about the person praying but about the God who answers.

Elijah’s humanity also highlights God’s power. Elijah experienced fear, doubt, and exhaustion, even fleeing from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:3-4). Yet, despite his weaknesses, God used this ordinary man for His extraordinary purposes.

This focus on Elijah’s humanity redirects our attention to God’s power, not Elijah’s abilities. If we are impressed with the prophets' supernatural abilities and desire to replicate them, we miss the point: these abilities were God’s power at work through them, sovereignly granted for His glory.

James further emphasizes Elijah’s relatable humanity: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17). He shares the same weaknesses, emotions, and struggles as us. This makes a person just like us, not someone to idolize.

This idea mirrors Acts 14:15, where Paul and Barnabas, after healing a crippled man, responded to the crowd trying to worship them: "Sirs, why do you do these things? We are also men of like passions with you" (Acts 14:15).

Given that Elijah was a man like us, how was his prayer so effective?

James tells us: “He prayed earnestly” (James 5:17). The Greek phrase προσευχῇπροσηύξατο (proseuchē prosēuxato), literally “He prayed with prayer,” underscores the depth, weight, and passionate dependence of Elijah’s plea.

His prayer was earnest, persistent, faith-filled, humble, specific, and aligned with God’s kingdom purposes.

Elijah’s prayer model teaches us that prayer should not be casual, irreverent, or self-serving. Rather, it should be intentional, fervent, and a faith-filled engagement with the living God.

Elijah’s persistence wasn’t about wearing God down; it was a demonstration of his unwavering faith in God’s sovereignty and timing. His persistence reflects a deep trust in God’s perfect plan, not an attempt to manipulate His will. Persistent prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will, trusting in His promises and providence.

Now, consider this question: Of all the significant prayers in Elijah’s story—such as his dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) and his private prayer for the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:20-22)—why does James focus on Elijah’s prayer for drought and rain?

The prayer battle with Baal was dramatic and miraculous, but it centers on God’s power to confront idolatry. While prayer is involved, it does not emphasize persistence or earnestness as much as Elijah’s prayers for rain. The resurrection of the widow’s son was powerful but less relatable to the church as it was a unique intervention.

James focuses on the drought-and-rain story because it highlights:

1. The power of persistent, faith-filled prayer.

2. God’s sovereignty in answering prayer.

3. Elijah’s relatable humanity, making him an example for all believers.

Elijah’s prayer also acknowledged his dependence on God’s mercy. In James 5:17, we read, “That it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”

Did Elijah know immediately if God would answer? Look at 1 Kings 17:1: “Elijah the Tishbite… said, ‘As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.’”

This statement was both a prophecy and a prayer, reflecting Elijah’s trust in God’s sovereignty.

This prayer serves as a powerful example of persistent, faith-filled prayer. Although Elijah didn’t know when or how God would answer, his prayer for no rain for three and a half years aligned with God’s will and His purposes.

It highlights the effectiveness of prayer that submits to God’s timing and will.

Elijah’s humanity, marked by weaknesses, reminds us that prayer is for all believers, not just prophets. God works through ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.

Furthermore, Elijah foreshadows Christ, who intercedes for His people. Elijah’s faith in God’s promises points us to Christ, our ultimate Mediator, who ensures the fulfillment of God’s promises. This connection deepens our understanding of prayer, rooting it in Christ’s finished work and encouraging us to persist with full confidence in Him.

Elijah’s example calls us to pray earnestly, persistently, and in faith, trusting in God’s sovereignty and perfect timing. The ultimate fulfillment of our prayers comes through Christ, who continually intercedes for us.

By using Elijah’s example, James reinforces his teaching on the persistence and power of faith-filled prayer.

Now look at James 5:18: “And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Elijah’s prayer demonstrates fervency, persistence, and confidence in God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Elijah was not demanding that God answer his prayer for his own glory or to prove his authority. His prayer was not self-serving; it was an earnest, faith-filled plea for God’s people to turn from idolatry and see His glory. Elijah begged for God’s mercy to use nature, specifically the rain, to reveal His majesty.

We must remember: God is not obligated to show us signs and wonders to prove His existence. Yet Elijah pleads with God to lift the drought he had called for, displaying his faith in God’s sovereignty.

Elijah’s perseverance, unwavering faith, and steadfast heart are seen when he sends his servant to look for signs of rain.

Though the servant reports “nothing” six times, Elijah trusts in God’s faithfulness. And then, on the seventh time:

“And it came about at the seventh time, that he said, ‘Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.’” (1 Kings 18:44)

Do you see what James is teaching us through Elijah’s story?

Earlier, James illustrated the farmer’s patience for the precious fruit as he is tested by the rain (James 5:7-8).

Now he uses Elijah’s example, showing us the power of persistent, faith-filled prayer. When Elijah saw the small cloud, he did not wait for the rain to pour.

He acted on faith, immediately instructing his servant to warn Ahab.

Elijah’s fervent prayer was powerful because it engaged God’s promises and power. When we trust God for both physical and spiritual provision, His providence remains faithful and true.

Conclusion Application

Loved ones, I hope you see how James emphasizes the power of prayer, particularly the prayer of faith. It teaches us that prayer is not just a ritual but a powerful means for healing and restoration, both physically and spiritually. God calls us to believe that He listens to our prayers and answers them according to His will.

The truth of this passage requires us to take prayer seriously, not as a mere formality but as a means of trusting in God’s power to heal, restore, and change lives.

As individuals, we must respond by cultivating a deep, faith-filled prayer life. We are called to be people who pray earnestly for the healing and restoration of others, confessing our sins and seeking God’s mercy.

When we face struggles or sickness, we should not hesitate to call on the elders of the church for prayer, recognizing the power of God to intervene.

We must also be ready to intercede for one another in times of spiritual weakness, trusting that God is able to bring healing—both physically and spiritually.

As a church, we are called to foster a culture of prayer.

Prayer must be a central part of our life together, where we pray fervently for one another, confess our sins, and seek God’s intervention collectively.

This means holding each other accountable, supporting one another in faith, and lifting up our voices together in corporate prayer.

Our church should be a place where prayer is not only a personal practice but a communal effort, especially during times of trial, sickness, and spiritual struggle.

Loved ones, let us prioritize prayer meetings and gatherings, ensuring that they are marked by genuine faith in God’s ability to act on behalf of His people. Finally, we are called to worship God not only through song but through our dependence on Him in prayer. Prayer is an act of worship, as we acknowledge His sovereignty and power over all things, including our struggles and pain.

As we bring our requests before Him, let our hearts overflow with worship, recognizing His great mercy and His power to heal. When we pray for one another, let us do so with hearts full of praise, trusting that our God is faithful and will answer according to His perfect will.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for the truth of Your Word that we have heard today. We are reminded that prayer is a powerful and effective means of drawing near to You, seeking Your healing, and finding restoration in Your grace. Lord, help us to embrace the call to pray with faith, confess our sins to one another, and persist in prayer, trusting in Your perfect timing.

As we leave this place today, we ask that You would deepen our commitment to prayer. May we not be a people who rely on our own strength but who turn to You in every circumstance, knowing that You are faithful to heal, restore, and guide us.

Teach us to pray earnestly for one another, to confess our sins, and to persist in faith, trusting that You will answer according to Your will.

We ask that You would continue to work in our hearts and in our church, making us a people who live out the power of prayer. May our prayers reflect our trust in You and bring glory to Your name.

We thank You for Your love and faithfulness, and we commit ourselves to You, knowing that You are able to do far more than we can ask or imagine.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.