PENTECOST 18 – September 26, 2021 – James 5:13-20
“POWERFUL PRAYER”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from James 5. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our text presents us with a wondrous power that is godly and spiritual, and that we are obviously encouraged to take advantage of – prayer. Prayer is addressed in many places in Holy Scripture. Perhaps most forcefully in the psalms, where the psalmist over and over again praises God for hearing his prayer and granting him deliverance.
- In our text, James also praises and exalts this blessed gift from God, utilizing one of hundreds of examples of the power of prayer, the experience of Elijah. Of course, Elijah himself had numerous experiences with the power of prayer, perhaps greatest of all being the fire that God sent to lap up his bull of sacrifice in the face of 450 prophets of Baal.
- So this morning let us consider what the Lord encourages. However, remember that prayer that is honored by God must be prayer that is in conformity with His good and gracious will, that is, prayer in His Name. He promises to answer these prayers. James provides us with several examples of things we are to pray for in accord with God’s will. We see in our text that:
I. We Should Be Praying Without Ceasing
1 Thess. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
A. So We Are To Pray When Suffering
Text: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.”
B. The Same When We Are Cheerful Or Happy
Text: “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
Statement: The apostle could have gone on and on with such circumstances. If you are sorrowful, if you are in pain, if you are in trouble, if you have enemies, if you are being slandered, if you are guilty of harming another. In all these circumstances, and in all other negative circumstances we are to pray. Remember God’s gracious promise: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I deliver you and you will glorify Me.” [Psalm 50:15]
Likewise, the apostle could have gone on and on with things that make us cheerful. If you got a raise, if you were given a gift, if you saw a beautiful flower that gladdened your heart, if you enjoyed a good meal, if you had a great night’s sleep, if someone showed their love for you. The list could go on and on. When we receive these things we receive them as from God and we glorify Him!
Application: So let us remember these things and implement them in our lives. Let us see everything in life as related to God – Who controls all things, causing some things to happen, and allowing others. But always He is working everything together for our great good and blessedness. But we also have other, very deep and significant things for us to pray about. But in so doing we also grasp and receive by faith the reality that:
II. The Prayer Of Faith Has Great Power
Text: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
A. To Heal And To Save The Sick [But It Is The Lord Who Is Raising Up]
Text: “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. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”
B. Likewise, The Prayer Of Faith Has Power To Bring Forgiveness
Text: “And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
1. So, we are to confess our sins to one another
Text: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another.”
2. We are to pray for one another – for forgiveness and healing
Text: “Pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Statement: These again are examples of the things that we are utilize the power of prayer to resolve and heal. Now, where there is no confession and repentance there can be no forgiveness and healing, for the Scripture assures us:
1 John 1:8-10 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.”
However, where there is confession, as James encourages, there is forgiveness and healing.
A couple of notes to remember in all of this business about healing. First, the elders are the pastors. Our modern office of elder didn’t come into existence until a century ago or so. Second, note that it not the oil that heals, but rather “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick,” and also, “The Lord shall raise him up.” There is no room here for superstition or creating some kind of holy oil.
Application: So we also visit the sick and pray with them and for them. When it is in accord with the will of God, healing and health come. But always, the Lord is with us with when we are sick or in trouble. Note also that it is not only “elders” or pastors who are to utilize this power of prayer. We are to confess to one another and pray for one another so that forgiveness and healing may come about.
This also, however, is governed by truth, as set forth in the Word of God. There is no forgiveness and healing without true and genuine and heartfelt confession, as John makes clear. To confess otherwise, hypocritically, is a horrible insult to God, which will merit His wrath and even greater punishment. And this is James concern as well, for:
III. We Should Also Be Praying For Those Who Have Fallen Away
Text: “If anyone among you wanders from the truth.”
A. We Pray For Him That The Word Would Bring Him Back To Repentance
Text: “If anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death.”
B. This Ministry Of Prayer And Rescue Brings About Forgiveness
Text: ”And will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Pet. 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
C. So That The Wanderer Is Restored To Faith And Truth And Is Saved From Death, Eternal Death
Text: “Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death.”
Statement: We tend not to take much of this seriously, that a brother or sister could actually “wander” away from the truth. But the fact is, it happens fairly frequently, and we are aware of it. Folks who wander into such laziness and lack of caring that they no longer attend church is an example of this. Or folks who get angry and instead of dealing with their issue in a biblical and god-pleasing way chose to leave. Or folks who actually chose not to believe and respect God’s Word decide to find another church that pleases them – even though it such a fellowship that despises His Word is repulsive to God.
Application: Often we think that there is nothing we can do. James informs us that there is much we can do. First, we can pray. Second, we can confront and admonish. But of course, if we are to do this we must take to heart the Word of God and believe it – that those who “wander from the truth” are imperiling their souls and forfeiting their relationship with God. Such careful and loving ministry can indeed bring wanderers back to the truth, back to repentance, and back to the blessings of God’s forgiveness and mercy.
Conclusion: Such matters are weighty and critical. Obviously, all of the circumstances of human suffering and woe, whether simply received or self-inflicted by our stubborn sinful nature; all of this needs to be the subject of our prayers. And we remember the truth, that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” It is the Lord’s power!
So utilize it! It will bring about your blessedness and will be a blessing to others! Even though it seems unlikely that we might be able to bring a “wanderer” back to repentance and faith we should try. Who knows what the power of God and His Word will do?
May we be among the righteous, those who live by faith in God’s cleansing forgiveness, and those who trust in God. Then like the psalmist, we will have dozens of experiences where His gracious mercy and powerful care have saved us. And we will be praising Him. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.