Faith Produces Fervent Prayer

INTRO: Cornerstone is...

Cornerstone will be… (How would God like this completed?

Today, how about completing this with “a place where people PRAY.”

We’re not there yet, but that’s where we are going, or where we need to be going

Read

“Prayer” - 7 times, 6 verses. 8 times if you count “sing praise” -

James “camel knees” - a man of prayer, devout prayer, and a large portion of his prayer was intercessory (for OTHERS)

The letter is ending with a focus on prayer and concern for others

(from last time) - “instead of taking oaths, believers should pray

be strengthened by the gathering called the church

What’s the big deal with prayer?

Keys to remember: Need wisdom? ASK (pray); Doubting? Well, don’t, you must pray in faith. Not getting what you want? Maybe you’re motives are selfish, or maybe you’re not even asking.

1) Focused response (to life situations) - Instructions to would-be disciples” when:

Disciples know

Suffering - pray

Cheerful - praise God

Sick - physical/spiritual combined

Suffering - focus on God for help, pray, talk to Him

Trials are real

Obedience to God can result in opposition to the world

(But, disobedience to God always results in someone getting hurt)

Cheer - focus on God, in praise (perhaps prayerful praise); remember the humility part. When “good” times come, praise God, since He’s the one to thank. Realize He works through others, especially in a church.

- so true. Good times happen, so praise God when they do! That way, nobody can accuse you of taking the credit and boasting.

Sick - focus on God, and call the elders (pastors) to pray

The church should want to care for the sickest among us

This “sick” is a combination of physical and spiritual (perhaps so sick or sick for so long, that the spiritual life is slipping)

Or…the spiritual life has been slipping, and it is causing illness

Psalm 32:3 NASB95

When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long.

A word on the power of prayer:

All of these situations challenge faith (even cheer), as we want to turn to our own wisdom as we deal with hardship or good times

We need to turn to God’s wisdom, always, so...

2) Restorative Prayer (specific to this “sick”)

This “sick” is two-fold: physical and spiritual

“Calling for the elders” - get the pastor(s) involved, and pray over someone, anointing with oil - A couple points:

Oil - medicinal - much like essential oil today, but also, a point to use medicine (do not rely on “faith healing” as is promoted today (the end goal of that is merely physical)

Oil - ceremonial - showed that the pastor was serious about this prayer, a sign of fervency

“Praying over” - Elijah is mentioned earlier, calling to mind , where he raises the widow’s son, he prayed OVER him (3X prostrate)

QUESTION: Why do we never hear of this part from people who put so much stock in the oil? Even calling it anointing oil! (prob. olive)

Above all, PRAY

God may heal physically, and if He does, even that is temporary, because we all die physically, eventually

Big Question: What if physical healing does NOT come? Then what?

(POINT - be confident in the efficacy of the prayer)

God WILL heal spiritually - salvation, repentance

1 John 1:9 NASB95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

POINT: Don’t make it about the oil. There were lots of healings without oil. Oil can become the idol, and actually keep you from the main focus...

Which is...Above all, PRAY - Don’t miss the “main”

God ALWAYS puts the spiritual aspect ahead of the physical

Paul was not healed, disciples were martyred, Paul left Trophimus () because he was ill

The power to heal is God’s not man’s, and so we are subject to God’s will

—And God’s will is to be known, so in all matters, He will make Himself known!

And, so…if your sickness is wearing you down spiritually, God wants to restore you

As for repentance, forgiveness is huge, and it can’t come until there is humble repentance (and if you have been forgiven, you may also need to do some forgiving)

David, ? But then - Humble

Jesus’ goal? Healing the sick? Feeding the poor? Sight to the blind? NO

Forgiveness of sinners - THAT is Jesus’ stated goal

(He came to testify of the truth, and to save people from their sins)

3) Effective Prayer

What is effective?

Working, knowing God, knowing what to ask, how to ask,

Elijah - “Answer me God, answer me!” BOLD? YEP

Who is the righteous man?

The believer, knowing God, coming to Him clean, avoiding hindrances

Just, set apart, right with God...

This is NOT “living righteous, so that God will hear me”

BUT, this is “God, I’m following you, listen to me.” Please. Now.

Hindrances

Husbands,

Unconfessed sin

Praying doubting

Wrong motives (selfish, God says NO; Faith? God says YES, according to My will)

Idols in our lives

UN-SURRENDERED Christian life - In truth, answered, effective prayer hinges on total surrender to God

And if you are not following, if affects prayer, and worship, it’s all connected

What do you want your prayer to accomplish?

Accomplish = mighty, power, strength

Prayer strengthens us, sometimes physically, ALWAYS spiritually

Put all this in a package, and it comes down to this.

THE DISCIPLES’S PRAYER IS EFFECTIVE, BECAUSE....

YOU PRAY TO GOD, THE CREATOR, AND HE..HAS..ALL..THE..POWER!

We humble ourselves, ask for His wisdom, trust Him, and then we bring all the junk to Him, and leave it there!

So where do you need His help, today?

SUMMARY POINTS

Disciples, in this together - interaction among disciples

Confession of sin? Individual, between you and God, and sometimes small circle of praying believers, who understand honest humility

Sharing burdens - Pray for one another, confront each other in Christian love

Galatians 6:1 NASB95

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Sick, declining spiritually - call the elders

Then, praise God, be amazed when He responds

Elijah - fervent prayer, God answered, BIG TIME

He dealt with double-minded people - So does James

“Normal” person, like you and me, indwelled with H.S.

Think you’re not ‘good enough’ to pray? Wrong! That’s a lie.

Humble self, and beg God to answer you

So does James

But Elijah, Mt. Carmel, fire from Heaven, AMAZING display of God’s awesome power, and how did the people respond?

BEFORE:

1 Kings 18:21

1 Kings 18:21 NASB95

Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.

AFTER:

1 Kings 18:39 NASB95

When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.”

What do we say? What do you say when we see God answer prayer?