Scripture:
James 5:13-18 NKJV
[13] Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. [14] 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. [15] And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. [17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Observation:
I find myself very partial to the letter of James. Part of the reason for that is that when I started reading and studying the Bible. It was the first letter that I went through front to back. The fact that it was a short letter was appealing to me. At that point, I was not a big fan of reading, but I knew that there was something special about this book we all call the bible, and that it was something I needed to take the time to read whether or not I wanted to didn’t matter. As a result of that decision, my life has changed so much. Sometimes I don’t even recognize myself. Knowing that GOD’S word and I’m sure the fact that someone had to be praying for me was the catalyst to that change opened up a door in my heart that would prove to be valuable to not only me but all who would be affected by what GOD would begin to do in and through my life. The power of prayer coupled with the instructions that are given in the bible will not leave you in the same position that you were found in. Looking into the scripture this morning helps us to see that and the way that James goes about explaining the power of prayer is absolutely applicable to daily life. Let’s take a look. The first thing that James addresses is the suffering of those around you. Asking a simple question.” Is anyone among you suffering?” His statement after that question is direct and to the point. “Let him pray.” It’s simple but at the same time profound to some of us. However, James is quick to point out that rather than prayer being a last resort it should be the first response. As he continues to guide his readers. Giving directions to those who are cheerful. Then coming right back to those in need by asking, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call on the elders of the church, and let THEM pray over him, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL with oil in the name of the LORD. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the LORD will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” I find this to be a, somewhat interesting statement. Especially when it’s followed by the verse that comes after. It would almost seem as though James felt like sickness came from having sin in your life. But let me put that out of our minds right away. Because as he continues he gets to his point when he begins to speak about Elijah. Saying that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. But what does that mean and how does it play out in what’s being said? Well, here it is Elijah had a sin nature. He was just like us. When sin entered the world so did sickness. When our very nature became sinful. Sickness became part of our lives. So as James gives instructions to confess your sins to one another he is saying stay connected to GOD. The effective fervent (heartfelt, passionate, prayer of faith) of a man who has a relationship with Jesus Christ does things. He goes on to include an example of how Elijah who was built just like us with a sin nature and all. Prayed earnestly and it was answered.
Application:
This morning I wanted you to know that GOD hears you. HE welcomes a conversation with you. In fact, it’s what HE desires. I don’t want anyone leaving this SOAP thinking….well if I am good enough GOD will hear me. It doesn’t work that way… HE hears you. HE hears your desperate cry for help. HE is your ever-present help in those times. I want to take us back to a moment in the bible when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. As the question was answered in real time. Jesus gave a wonderful outline of how to pray that most of us have taken to mean pray these words specifically. However, that’s not the case. But let’s look at a very specific point in that prayer. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Jesus taught us how to pray exactly what James is saying in the instructions given here. Confess your sins to one another. GOD wants our hearts free of guilt and shame. Free of the penalty of sin. Our desperate cry for help and confession to HIM and confession to others keeps that deep-rooted connection to the people around us. We are built for relationships. First and foremost our relationship with GOD and then our relationship with those around us. Praying for one another moves things in the spiritual realm and gets us outside of our own troubles. My point to all this is that. Your righteousness is not the righteousness that is being spoken of it’s the righteousness that is imparted to you through your relationship with Christ. GOD hears your prayers. HE hears your desperate cry. HE wants you healed set free and walking in victory. My suggestion is this find someone you can trust. Build a relationship with them. Trust them with the innermost parts of you so you can pray for each other. Live your life in full view of them. Keep yourself free of guilt and shame. But most importantly I want you to know that GOD hears you. HE knows your voice. HE wants to have a conversation with you and in that conversation HE wants you to be real with HIM. Your righteousness is found in Christ.
Prayer:
Father, we just want to thank you for hearing us. You know us better than we know ourselves and all you want is a conversation. Help us to live a life that is connected to you in every way. As we take the time to start every day with a conversation with you. Allow us to know that you are moving on our behalf. We know that not only do you hear us but you see us. You see our every need. You see the healing that is needed and the confusion that needs to take place so that we are not held bound in guilt and shame. We have set us free. What an amazing GOD you are. Help us to be bold in who you are. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen