THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE

PROCLAMATION

“Is anyone among you in trouble?  Let them pray … Is anyone among you sick?  Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them … the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; The Lord will raise them up … The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  James 5:13-16 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, The Christ, (Galatians 1:19) under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers who scattered after the crucifixion of Christ. (James 1:1)  He begins the fifth and final chapter of this letter by telling them that the rich people, who lived in luxury, hoarded their wealth, failed to pay their workers, and made innocent people suffer, will themselves suffer. (James 5:1-6)  Then he urges the believers to be patient.  They that persevered in the face of suffering will be blessed. (James 5:10-12)  He encourages them to pray for themselves and to ask the elders of the church to pray for them.  The prayers of the righteous are powerful and very effective. (James 5:13-16)  If a believer falls into sin and backslides, whoever turns him from the error of his ways will save a soul and cover a multitude of his sins. (James 5:19-20)

 

APPLICATION

As believers we are encouraged to always pray, and to pray about all things. (Matthew 21:22, Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36, and Ephesians 6:18)  We are also encouraged to pray for one another. (James 5:16)  The prayers of the righteous are powerful.  Prayer changes things.  If all is going well with you, then thank God and sing psalms or songs of praise. (James 5:13)  If all is not well, then pray, and ask the righteous to pray for you. (James 5:13-16)  If you see a believer who is engaged in sinful behavior, pray for them, and encourage them to return to the true way. (James 5:19-20)  Remember, none of us is perfect, and we all need prayer and God’s help.

 

SOLOMON ASKS FOR WISDOM

PROCLAMATION

“Now, Lord God, let Your promise to my father David be confirmed, for You have made me king … Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people …”  2 Chronicles 1:9-10 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
After Solomon became king over all of Israel, The Lord God appeared to him that night and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon answered Him and said, “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people …” (2 Chronicles 1:9-10)  His request pleased The Lord God and He told him that He would give him what he asked for and much more.  Thus, Solomon became the wisest man ever, in addition to becoming wealthy and honorable. (1 Kings 3:11-13 and 2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  The events in this chapter are repeats of the events presented in chapter three of The Bible Book of First Kings.

APPLICATION

The way that we speak to God today is through prayer.  However, we should be very careful with respect to the things that we pray for and ask The Lord God to give to us.  He hears and answers the prayers of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:8 and 15:29)  The sincere prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. (James 5:16)  Jesus, The Christ, said, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22)  He told His disciples that everyone who asks will receive, (Luke 11:10) we just need to make sure that what we ask for will give God glory.  We will not receive that which is asked for with the wrong motives. (James 4:3)  We should not ask for anything bad to befall a child of God and we should not be selfish with our prayer requests.   Remember, Job was blessed with twice as much as he had only after he prayed for his friends. (Job 42:10)  There is power in prayer.