The Power of Prayer (1)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. - James 1:6.

In James 5:13-18 we read:
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, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with 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.

This is a very interesting and profitable passage of the holy Scripture. This passage talks solely about prayer. It mentions prayer in every verse.

13 Is anyone among you .. ? Let him pray
14 Is anyone among you sick ? ... Let him pray
15 And the prayer ...
16 .. and pray for ...
17 ... and he prayed ...
18 And he prayed again ...

It is also worth noting that it is addressed to the sick, the afflicted and the spiritually weak. Perhaps you have committed sin that has weakened you spiritually or you may have peculiar need in your life. There is deliverance through the prayer of faith. This passage talks aout prayer in various ways. Viz:
1. The prayer of faith
2. Personal prayer
3. The prayers of elders
4. The believers' prayers
5. Spirit-energized prayer

Elijah the prophet is cited as an example from the old covenant to give us a model of prayer. Since we have a better covenant, we should be able to get better results and encouragement in our prayers.

This passage also talks about faith. Verse 15 says "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." Actually the whole book of James talks about faith and shows the types of faith to be manifested when we pray.
a) Unwavering faith must be manifested when you pray (James 1:6)
b) Sincere, honest and pure faith (James 2:1)
c) Living, active and scriptural faith (James 2:17,20,26)
d) Rich, abundant faith that solely leans upon the promises of God (James 2:5)
e) Faith that is effective in healing and forgiveness (James 5:16)

These are the kinds of faith we are to manifest if we are attacked, sick or afflicted, in order to receive the desired result.

- Daniel OC