The Power of Prayer

Hindrances to Praying

• My strength and giftedness

• My plan and selfish motives (James 4:1-3)

• My doubt and pride (James 1)

• My lack of example

PERSONAL PRAYER (James 5:13)

• When you suffer, learn to bring your petitions to the Lord.

• When you are cheerful, learn to bring your songs of praise to the Lord.

PRAYER IN THE CHURCH (James 5:14-15)

• If you are sick, call for the elders to pray over you.

• Think of the greatness of this truth: the Lord forgives sin.

PRAYER FOR FRIENDS (James 5:16)

• Pray for one another, don’t speak negatively about your hard-to-love friends (James 4:11).

• The greatest thing we can pray for our friends is that they joyfully submit to the divine plan.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE PROPHET (James 5:17-18)

• Elijah’s life and times were just like James’ Christian readers (and our times, too).

• Elijah finds his only recourse to be prayer. And we will, too.