To Pray or not to Pray?
By Ronald E. George Jr. SFBC 10-12-97
Scripture Text: James 5:13-20
James 5:13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. 19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Key Verse: V. 16b The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
An Announcement to make:
We are sorry to announce the passing of Mrs. Prayer Meeting. She died recently at the First Neglected Church on Ho-Hum Avenue. Born many years ago in the midst of a great revival, she was strong and healthy as a child, fed largely on testimony and Bible study she grew into world-wide prominence and was one of the most influential members of the Church family. However, in recent years Sister Prayer Meeting has been failing in health, gradually wasting away until rendered helpless by stiffness of the knees, cooling of the heart, lack of spiritual sensitivity and the concern for spiritual things. Her last whispered words were inquiring about the strange absence of her loved ones, now so busy in the market place and places of wordly amusement on Wednesday evenings! Experts, including Dr. Good Works, Dr. Socializing and Dr. Unconcerned disagree as to the fatal cause of her final illness. They all administered large doses of excuses, even ordered a last minute motivational bypass, all to no avail. A post-mortem examination showed that a deficiency of regular spiritual food, a lack of prayer and Christian fellowship, all contributed to her untimely demise.
A Revival of Prayer… to show us the effectiveness of prayer in our lives and give us an opportunity to take advantage of this opportunity.
What is the one thing we can do that can move the very creator of heaven and earth. Pray…
Jame 4:8 (KJS) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. -- F.B. Meyer
What is the purpose and power of prayer?
1.Seeking God
What is it like without God in your life? See the example in v. 17-18.
Can God make a difference in your life? Can Rain make a difference in our world? What is it like with God in your life?
Have you ever had a relationship with someone who did not want to talk to you or listen to you? God awaits your presence. He longs to spend time with you. We are hiding in the bushes ashamed to come out.
2.Lining Up with God
Repenting or turning ourselves to go His Way. John 14:6With or without God. See the difference. It is like having 3 and half years of no rain.
After we have tried everything else, then all we have left is prayer. Is God our last chance or our first choice? First, try God He works.
3.Joining up with God
For work His work.
For pleasure. For our pleasure and his pleasure.
For peace. For our peace and receiving his blessing.
To Illustrate: Elijah is a man just like us yet he prayed and it didn’t rain for three and a half years. Then, he prayed again and it rained. Did Elijah have power or did God? How did he get involved?
He Joined up with God! Will we join up with God?
Will you Join up with God in Prayer this morning?