The Power of Prayer James 5:13-18

James 5:13-18 (NKJV) 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 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 land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

I. Prayer for your suffering

II. Prayer for the sick

     A. Call for the elders

     B. Anoint with oil in the name of the Lord

     C. Confess your trespasses to one another

III. The Lord answers prayer

      A. You will be healed

      B. Your sin will be forgiven

What does James 5:15 imply about the relationship between prayer and healing?

What does calling for the elders and anointing with oil symbolize in our faith community?

How does James 5:16 relate to the community aspect of faith and prayer?

What do you think is the connection between prayer and forgiveness as stated in this scripture?

What does the phrase 'the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much' teach us about the power of prayer?

Who does James mention as an example of a prayerful person in this passage?