Bible Study Notes for James 5:16-18 - The Power Behind Prayer
Power Behind Prayer - James 13-18
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
James 5:18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
QUESTION: What is your first thought when reading James's requirement for effective prayers being "righteousness?"
QUESTION: What other requirements have you heard of as must-haves for prayer to be powerful or effective?
Requirements, results, and regrets trap many who suffer from the shame of not praying. James's letter to free us from these prisons provides reasons we can trust in the true power of prayer. James gives us a requirement for powerful prayer in verse 16, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
One must first question, how much righteousness does James require? Secondly, how does one gain more righteousness to have greater power in prayer? Where do we achieve such righteousness? Paul gave us a good clear example of where our righteousness comes from in Philippians 3:8-9:
Phil. 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Phil. 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Proverbs uses this same type of understanding when speaking of prayer:
Prov. 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
When we look at our actions, the Father sees us as weak and calls us to pray not in our strength but the strength and power of our "high priest."
Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Heb. 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
James also clearly indicates that we are not looking to our righteousness as the power for our prayer. He uses Elijah as an example:
James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
James 5:18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
From the example of the verses above, we can conclude that the source of our power in prayer is not our acts of righteousness but the righteousness that was gifted to us at salvation. When we begin to pray for someone, we don't look to our track record to determine if God will hear us. Our prayers will reach the Father's ears because we come to him wearing the clothes of Jesus, wearing his righteousness. It is our identity as adopted children that gives our prayer power.
QUESTION: How does knowing God hears us based upon our identity and not our actions help you pray?
QUESTION: Has anyone ever struggled with what they should be praying for? Are there limits to what we can ask?
We are not left to wonder what God wants us to pray over. Thankfully, James has provided in his letter four identifiable prayers we can confidently bring before God knowing he will hear and answer them.
1) Wisdom - James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
2) Strength in trials - James 5:13a Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
3) Cheerful praise - James 5:13b Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
4) Restoration for the spiritually sick - James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one
another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Each one of these prayers is focused on trusting God either for strength or love for others.
QUESTION: If we are honest, what do we find ourselves praying for throughout our week? How is it different from what James is calling us to pray for?
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James connects this powerful point of prayer to spiritual healing among believers. The entire letter of James is focused on how we are to love and care for each other and how our words, selfishness, and sinful ambitions get in the way of showing "true religion."
Sin is what divides a family and causes spiritual weakness and pain. James calls the church to confess the sin that causes division and then states that there is supernatural power to heal the spiritually sick when we pray for each other.
QUESTION: What do you think gets in the way of us praying for each other, not just personally but in each other presence?
QUESTION: If we truly believe in the power James promises for spiritual healing, how do we obey his instructions and create a safe place for confession and public prayer?
NEW GROUPS!!!
Ladies, we need to start creating new groups to keep growing and more women and join in this discussion. When groups get above ten individuals, it can become difficult for discussion and confession to occur. We desire to help everyone connect and keep growing. This is why we must start new groups to accommodate everyone coming to GRC.
In June, we will be starting a new group in the Eagleville/Chapel Hill area. For Spring Hill, how would you like to divide the groups up? We have new messaging groups ready in the app and a Women's Ministry group where everyone can still connect. We will need two host homes each week for Spring Hill, so please keep this in mind as we grow.
Connect on GRC Chat Group!
Signup for the GRC chat group in the app (top right corner) Leader can then search for and add you to the group chat
PRAISE, PRAYER, AND CONFESSION:
What can you offer to the Father in praise? What is a sin you need to confess?
What is a burden we can carry?
What can we take to our Father in prayer?