James: Week 12

The prayers of the faithful are mighty. Believers should pray for one another in every circumstance - in sickness and health, in suffering and joy.

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What circumstances or seasons of life do these verses mention?

How do they relate to the ongoing process of faith in the Christian life?

How would you define prayer?

How would you define praise?

In what ways do they work as steps toward progress in believers’ spiritual growth?

What changes in your heart and mind when you view the repeated instruction to pray or praise, regardless of the circumstances, as a relational invitation rather than a religious obligation?

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What examples does James give to demonstrate the power of prayer in the life of a faithful believer?

Why do you think prayer is often a difficult habit even for people who believe in the power of prayer and the presence of a loving Heavenly Father?

Part 1: Faithful

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What did Paul mean when he wrote that God “works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”?

Why is it significant that Paul said to work out, not work for, your own salvation?

How does the language of working out imply a process - progress, not perfection?

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How would you describe the role of ongoing faithfulness in a personal relationship with Jesus?

Part 2: Faithless

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Summarize God’s work in moving us from faithlessness to faithfulness.

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How do Paul’s words convict about faithlessness?

How do Paul’s words provide comfort and confidence in faithfulness?

-Pretending you’ve got it all together as a Christian isn’t faithfulness; it’s faithlessness. If you had it all together, you would be sinless, and there would be no room for growth because you would already be perfect. True faithfulness is the ability to admit that you earned nothing from God and now trust that He loves you and will work all things for good. Living in your strength rather than relying on God in prayer denies the power of God working in and through you. Faithfulness comes at the end of self-reliance.

7 Practical Tips for making progress toward a faith prayer life.

by D.A. Carson

Prayer needs to be planned.

Adopt practical ways to impede mental drift.

In different times and different seasons, seek out people to pray with.

Get around people who do pray.

Develop a system for your prayer lists.

Mingle praise, confession, and intercession and tie as much of it as you can to the Scriptures.

Pray until you pray.

Are any of these ideas new for you?

What practices have you found effective for developing faithfulness and focus in your prayer life?