Prayer: THe Right ANswer

Prayer: The right Answer—James 5:13-14

Intro…

• It’s always the right time to pray!
• James is writing to early Jewish believers who were facing difficulties—persecution. Hardships of life, sickness, etc.
• How do we react to the diff. circumstances we find ourselves in? (verses 7-12)
• Impatience—7-8.
• Grumbling—9.
• Swearing—12.
• James tells us how to react (what to do) in different circumstances…

I. Is anyone suffering—let him pray… (13a)

• This isn’t actually a question, but a statement of fact.
• “So you’re suffering affliction…” (Evil treatment)
• “The Christian doesn’t always live on the mnt. Top of faith.”
• James give 2 examples of the assurance of suffering…
• V.10—The prophets suffered despite service to the Lord.
• V.11—Job remained steadfast in suffering.
• Suffering is a part of this life! (to suffer blows from the outside)
• Unfair treatment in our homes, jobs, at WM, at church.
• But how do we react when faced w/it?
• Let him pray (commanded)
• What did we say prayer is?—Communion w/God.
• When you feel you’re being treated unfairly…
• What does praying do in this sit?
• Prayer gives us strength. (power)
• Prayer gives us perspective.—New eyes/lenses.
• Prayer gives us direction.
• What are you suffering right now?
• Treated unfairly by family, by Doctors, at church, by gov’t, by a landlord…

II. Is anyone cheerful—let him sing praise… (13b)

• “cheerful”—Has a joyful attitude (well+spirit)
• This doesn’t say someone w/o problems.
• What should you do if you have joyful spirit/mind?
• “Sing praise”—ψαλλέτω—Lit. meaning is “to play a stringed instrument”(to make music)—We derive our English word “Psalm”
• The natural outcome of a joyful heart is singing praise!
• Which is prayer/communion w/God.
• Psalm 149:1-5
• You’ve prayed thru suffering, He gives you cheer, then you sing.

III. Is anyone sick—Let them pray… (14)

• Lit. means “to be w/o strength”/weak or feeble.
• 2 Possible meaning for this word…
• Traditional: Physical sickness.
• More likely: Spiritual sickness—weak in the flesh (14-16)
• Galatians 6:1
• What do you do in the case of weakness?
• Who are the “elders of the church?”
• Ancestors—No.
• Older ones/more mature ones in the church.
• The office—pastor.
• “Let the elders of the church call on him”??—No!
• Call on the elders of the church/leadership of the church.
• “Pray over him”

Closing…

• Applications…
• The 1st thing to do when suffering is pray.
• Gives strength, perspective, & direction.
• When you’ve been strengthened & found joy, thank God.
• Call on your spiritual leaders to pray for you.