Pray for One Another

Last week we started our new summer sermon series on some of the “one another” commands that we find in Scripture. We talked about encouraging one another, and I hope that we all took that to heart this week as we considered how we might be able to work on how we might become more intentional about encouraging each other. Remember, it doesn’t take a big act to be encouraging, but something small like reaching out to say hi and pray with someone can make a huge difference for someone.

I have a question for you as we get started today. Have you ever said to someone something like “I’ll keep you in my prayers” or “I’ll be praying for you?” Did you actually end up praying for them or did you forget about it as you went on your day? Have you ever said you would pray for someone and didn’t think of it again until you saw them several days later and felt guilty that you had not remembered to pray?

I think that if many of us are honest, myself included, it is really easy to say we will pray for someone, but much harder to actually follow through with it.

There are many passages of Scripture that focus on prayer. This morning, we are going to be in James 5, as I believe that God has a specific message he wants us to hear this morning as it relates to praying for one another and how that might look in our lives.

James 5:13–20 NIV

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Did you notice that at the beginning of this passage, we see three questions? Is anyone in trouble? Is anyone happy? Is anyone sick? James is a letter full of questions. In fact, there are 22 of them throughout the book. But I find it interesting that he starts with these in a passage about prayer.

The first question James asks is if anyone is in trouble or is suffering. The remedy to this if then question is to pray. The context of this suggests suffering as an emotion, perhaps even depression brought on by challenging circumstances. It is during times like we have recently been living, that we should be seeking God through prayer, realizing that his is in control, even when we are in the face of suffering.

We then move on to a question about being happy. The remedy? Sing songs of praise. In those days, the songs or hymns would have come from the psalms.

After this first verse, we have pray if we are in trouble or are suffering and praise if we are happy. Notice that both of these direct our attention toward God.

Then in verse 14 we see this question. Is anyone sick among you? The word that James uses here is asthenei which literally means to be without strength. However, we also see this word used figuratively for mental and spiritual weakness. I want us to notice that being without strength or feeling ill is a symptom of some other disease. The sickness and the disease both link back to our fallen human beings.

The second half of verse 14 begins where I want us to focus in a bit this morning. Let the sick person summon the elders of the church and let them anoint this one with oil, and pray over him or her in the name of the Lord. The word that James uses here is church, not synagogue. The church, meaning the local Christian community which is an association of believers in that community. The elders were those respected for their leadership and were responsible within the community. These elders are called to pray over the sick person.

Prayer is a theme that we see often throughout the gospels, Acts, and the writings of Paul. In this passage, we see James bring out this theme in three different ways:

praying for oneself as we see back in verse 13 - if anyone is in trouble, let them pray.

intercessory prayer as we see in verse 14 - asking the elders of the church to anoint and pray over a person who is sick. The prayer follows anointing with oil. Olive oil was a common medicine in those days and the elders were to pray after appropriate medicine was administered. They believed that God was the one who ultimately heals and makes the medicine effective. This was reason to pray in the name of the Lord.

In verse 15, we see James describing the prayer of the elders as offered in faith. This prayer of faith for healing was a ritual prayer. People expected God to move when they prayed this way. They expected God to do something.

Then in verse 16, this is the one another command we are focusing on today. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and PRAY for each other so that you may be healed.” There are two parts to this. First is the act of confession. We are to confess to each other. When we do, it becomes less about us individually and more about us as a community. God will heal and forgive those who we pray for. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

By confessing to each other regularly, a few things happen. First, we know how to specifically pray for each other more deeply than praying for whatever physical needs we may have. It takes it to a whole new level when we can pray for someone specifically for things with which they are struggling, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. The second thing is that we are more proactive in holding each other mutually accountable. Third, this is not a one time thing, but something we are continually called to do.

God hears and answers our prayers when we pray them in faith that God will move! However, we must remember that the power behind this type of prayer is not the prayer itself or who is praying it, but the power is from the goodness and unlimited ability of the God we serve. Amen?!?

In verses 17-18, we are to pray for specific petitions. Here James uses the example of Elijah. Elijah was someone those to whom James writes would be familiar. Elijah was referred to in all four gospels. He played an important role in the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. Elijah was a man who plead with God against Isreal. He was a person just like you and I, with many of the same fears, emotions, and faults.

Elijah’s example is important for us to understand. He shows us what can happen when ordinary people like each of us prays. If we are persistent in our prayers and seek God earnestly, God will answer. Now a note of caution. We need to be seeking God and his will when we pray like this. If we were to pray in this way for a car or some other selfish want, I’m not sure that is what James is getting at here. The point that James is trying to make is that if God will influence nature by the way Elijah prayed, what more will he do when we pray the intercessory prayer for others for healing and salvation. We need to be persistent in becoming intercessors for others as we are called to in James letter.

Now, how do we do this. How do we become people who can pray for each other like this. Here are ten things that I believe we can apply into our lives this week to help us become intercessors. We are all called to pray for others in this way. Not just those with a gift of intercession.

Be patient - Sit before the LORD silently and wait for him to speak and direct your prayers when you are unsure what to pray.  It will take time for us to build relationships with people deep enough to see the type of confession and mutual accountability that James is referring to. However, sometimes, I find myself whispering short prayers to God when my heart has been burdened for someone throughout the day. God has been faithful to encourage my heart that I am indeed moving in the right direction in my prayers. Take the time to listen. Prayer is a time of listening and speaking. God listens when we speak and we must be patient to hear when he speaks back to us. Ask others to join us in praying, we must not be shy about doing so.

Decide on consistent time and place - One of the beautiful things about the privilege of communicating with God is that we can do it anywhere, at any time.  We do not need to be in a particular location, speak special words or offer any rituals. For example, when I was driving to work everyday (before the last three months), I would often spend my drive praying.

However, sometimes that anywhere and any time turn into nowhere and never.  Our lives are busy.  I totally get it.  I am a pastor, have another full-time job, been in school, and care for my relationship with my wife.  I know busy just like you know busy.  Too often we let the good things we are doing distract us from time alone with the very reason we live.

A scheduled time and location may be just what we need.  Maybe it's at 5:30am for half an hour before the day starts.  Perhaps it's during lunch at work, or during a long commute.  Maybe it means sacrificing that TV show in the evening.  Find a time that works for you and a place that's quiet.  And just make a priority out of communication with an all-powerful God.

Pray any time and place - Hear me out, I am not contradicting what I just said. Prayer should be prioritized and scheduled as mentioned a moment ago.  But it should also be spontaneous.  We are to “Pray without ceasing“.  That means that our prayers cannot be limited to the very important time we have carved out specifically for it.

We need to be carrying out our daily lives with an attitude of praise and communion with God.  We should be praying for the little things in life as well as the big things.  And we must be willing to stop what we are doing and pray.  These prayers don't have to be long or pretty.  They just have to be an outflowing of the heart to God. Oftentimes I feel God leading me to pray for a person or situation. In that moment it is important to pray, we never know what may be happening that we are unaware of.

One implication of this is that if you tell someone you will pray for them, do it right then if possible (and it is almost always possible).  Pray with them over a phone line, a text, an e-mail or a Facebook message.  If you are with them, ask them if you can stop and pray for them where you are.  It may not seem natural, but it can be powerful and it is something that you will get very comfortable doing. Add them to your prayer list and take the time to include their need in your petitions.

Let God speak through His Word to you first - Wait, we are talking about our prayer life here, not bible study.  Right?  Well, yes.  Prayer is when we talk to God.  It's one way.  God doesn't pray back to us.  He does, however, desire very much to speak to us.  And the primary way that he does that is through His word, the Holy Bible.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The word of God is powerful and can center us and teach us as we come before God.

Read something from the Bible before you pray.  Maybe it's a passage you are memorizing.  Maybe it's a pretty printable verse you use to decorate your journal. Perhaps, it's a bit of a bible reading plan, a verse referenced in the sermon this week, or one from a bible study you are participating in.  Just read God's word and be quiet for a few minutes. Let God speak to you before you talk to Him.  It may be awkward, even though you are alone, but the more you do it, the more amazing it will become.

Use a list as a tool in your prayer life - Have you ever been praying and find your mind go blank? Or worse, it wanders to all I need to be doing with my day.  If you have a list, it really helps. We do not want to be legalistic in our prayers and sometimes following a strict To Do List for your prayer life can quickly become dry.  On the other hand it can help us to stay focused and avoid the wandering mind. We need to know what works for us.

My suggestion is to make a list of your prayers, but don't feel completely beholden to it if the Holy Spirit leads you in another direction during your praise and worship time with Him.  

Do not put a limit on your requests - Pray bold prayers, but do not be surprised when God answers them. Be ready for it. Be willing to pray for big things.  We serve a big God and he is able to do “more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 6:20).  We need to come boldly before Him and ask.

But also be willing to pray for small things.  Sometimes we forget that our big God also cares deeply for us in a very personal way.  Do you remember the shortest verse in the Bible?  Yep, the one we all memorized in Kids Church to get a piece of candy.  “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).  Do you remember why Jesus wept?  Just two verses before, we learn why.  “When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.”  He didn't weep because Lazarus had died because he knew he was going to raise him from the dead.  He wept because Mary and the others were hurting.  He cared for their sorrow even knowing that he was about to soothe it.  What a beautiful scene.

Be consistent - Don't let things derail your plans to spend time with God.  Believe me, things will come up and it will be very easy to put this time off.  Don't.  As humans, we need food, drink and sleep to survive.   As Christians, we need prayer in the same way. Just do it.

Be persistent - Come to God boldly and do not be afraid to pray the same prayers over and over again.  In fact, the Bible says that persistence is important.

1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV

11 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18: 1-8 is a clear example of this.

Jacob wrestled with an angel in his persistence in Genesis 32: 24-32.

We are to keep asking, focusing on our cries to God one day at a time.

Look for answers - God answers prayer.  Look for these answers and document them.  It becomes a testimony of his grace and goodness as we see our prayers answered.  It can also be a picture of His sovereign influence over our lives as we see them answered in ways that we were not really wanting or expecting.  Sometimes it takes the perspective of time to see how He is working, and sometimes we may never see the reason behind certain answers this side of Heaven, but it is still a comfort and joy to know that the God of the Universe is listening and responding.

Along these lines, think of how you may be used to answer prayer.  Is there a need that you can help meet?  Think practically and critically.  God uses ordinary people like you and me in his magnificent plan.  What a privilege and a blessing.

Document prayers and answers - This is a discipline that is certainly not required but can be a tremendous blessing.  Consider keeping a Prayer Journal.  For one thing, it can keep us focused when it's time to pray.  It can also give us a place to keep the lists we mentioned above.  Finally, it acts as a way to remember the grace and power of God. Journaling can enrich your prayer life and draw you closer to God.

If you didn’t catch all of those, you can always go back and listen to the message again on Facebook or on the website. Or you can ask me and I will gladly give them to you.

As we close this morning, I want us to each take some time this afternoon and this week to think about how we can be more intentional in being intercessors for others. Think about how you can be more intentional about building deeper relationships with people so that you can intercede for them in a deeper way and hold each other mutually accountable. Trust me it will be a bit uncomfortable at first, but there is nothing that compares to this type of relationship. It is something that we all need.