The Book of James - 10
The Christian's Praying - Chapter 5, Verses 13 - 18
Practical Christian living requires constant walking with the Lord in the path of His choosing. There must be continual reliance on Him, and a readiness to do His will and not our own. In trouble and in joy we must turn to the Lord and seek from Him all the help we need. James brings out this point in the latter part of chapter 5, and concentrates specially on the place of prayer.
(Verses 13-18) "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
Notice that prayer and praise are both needed. A Christian must never forget to return thanks to God and to praise Him for all He is, and for all He has done for him. In trouble, pray. In joyous times, praise.
James takes up the example of illness, and explains that it is right to ask the leaders of the church - the elders - to pray for those who are sick. He makes two points clear. Firstly, that such praying must be with faith in the Lord. It is not to be the mere repetition of some formal words. Secondly, there is the need for sins to be forgiven. This will only come when the one concerned is truly repentant, and therefore willing to turn away from any sinful acts in which they have been involved. The healing James speaks of is no "magic formula" to be used by all and sundry. It the humble confidence in our mighty God, and a readiness to submit to His will, that brings God's response. Note that it is the prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man that is powerful and effective.
The example given is that of Elijah. The story is told in the Old Testament in 1 Kings chapter 17 and 18. James points out that Elijah was an ordinary man "just like us", and yet he had remarkable answers to prayer. Of course, Elijah's aim was the glory of God. He was concerned for God's honour, and that is the reason why his sincere prayers were answered. We have no promise that SELFISH prayers will be answered. When we consider some of the other passages in Scripture dealing with prayer, and fit them together, then the whole subject becomes very clear.
James himself, in chapter 1 verses 6 and 7, drew attention to the part which faith plays in true praying:
"When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded, unstable in all he does."
In 1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 8, Paul writes:
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
It is prayer from cleansed hearts that is availing. God has no pleasure in anyone who continues in sin. To illustrate this point consider what our Lord said as recorded in Luke chapter 18 verses 10 to 14:
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evil-doers, adulterers - or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax-collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to Heaven, but beat his breast and said, ' god, have mercy on me, a sinner!' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
One man SAID A PRAYER which availed nothing. The other PRAYED FROM HIS HEART in desperate need and was justified.
There is further teaching on the place of and effectiveness of prayer in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians chapter 6 verses 18 to 20:
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains...."
Notice several points in these verses:
1. Prayer must be in the power of the Holy Spirit on all occasions.
As mentioned earlier, it must never be a mere repetition of words. True prayer is a work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. God looks on our hearts, and sees what we are really like. He can never be deceived by our words.
2. Prayer requires us to be alert.
We must be quick to bring all situations to God and seek His guidance and help immediately.
3. Prayer should be directed personally on behalf of others.
Paul refers here to the need for much prayer for all who witness for Christ Jesus, that they will do so fearlessly and faithfully. Every Christian bears some responsibility for upholding others in prayer. The members of each local church should regularly pray for their pastors and teachers. Parents must pray for their children day by day so that they will be preserved from evil influences, and be led to put their faith in God for themselves.
We all need to pray for God's hand upon us throughout the whole day. It is good to find time in the morning to come to God in prayer, before the temptations and problems of the day crowd in. Never allow Satan to crowd out your prayer time.