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Points on Prayer (James 5:13-18) James is a very practical book on living the Christian life; it should come as no surprise then that he speaks of prayer. |
Points on Prayer (James 5:13-18)
James is a very practical book on living the Christian life; it should come as no surprise then that he speaks of prayer. Specifically in this section we can learn that we should pray:
- Individually (v13) – Prayer is a chance for us to commune with God; all of us should seek opportunity to go to God alone in prayer (Matt. 6:5-6) as did Jesus (Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 6:12).
- Collectively (v14) – But we should also seek opportunity to pray together and for one another as did the first century church (v16; Acts 2:42; 4:23-31; 12:12; Phil. 1:3; 2 Thess. 3:1).
- Believingly (v15) – Necessary to believe in the power of prayer (James 1:5-8; Mark 11:20-24; 1 Kings 18:41-45).
- Fervently (v16) – The supplication of a man doing God’s will has great power. Not a time of thoughtless recitation but of focused petition before God (Matt. 6:7; Heb. 4:16); notice also the example of Elijah who prayed fervently (v17).
- Specifically (v17) – Prayed with a specific thought and purpose in mind and it achieved his desired results. We too need to pray not only generally but specifically (Acts 12:5; Eph. 6:18-20; 1 Thess. 1:2; Philemon 1:4).
- Repeatedly (V18) – Not just once or occasionally, but a repetitive part of our lives. (Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2 2 Thess. 1:3; Phil 4:6).
