Off the Shelf Sunday School--James

The Power of Prayer (5:13-20)

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. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.

1.    Christians are to be joyful and pray continuously regardless of whether the circumstances in life are good or bad. (1 Th 5:16-17) This requires a dependency upon God and holding him in view throughout our lives. We may not understand the reasons for the troubles we have but we know that God loves us and does what is best for us. (Heb 12:5-11)

2.    James uses the example of Elijah to show that the prayers of the saints (righteous people) are powerful over sickness and evil attacks. The collective prayers of the elders can bring about healing based on the faith of the elders and God’s will. Christians cannot command healing from God based on using oil or some prayer formulas. Sometimes God chooses not to bring healing despite fervent prayers. (2 Cor 12:7-10; 2 Tim 4:20) Have you experienced (or know of) miraculous healing following prayers of faith?

3.    Repentance is changing one’s mind and actions to turn from sin. Repentance and confession are required for sins to be forgiven and for healing. Depending on the sin, confession may be public or private. (1 Jn 1:9)

4.    Christians are to express love for each other by helping each other through prayers and actions. (Eph 4:32; 1 Jn 3:21-23)

5.    If a Christian departs from the truth of the gospel in doctrine or practice, fellow believers should approach this person with truth in love. Many errors and sins will be avoided in the life of the errant Christian and those who are influenced by this person if the errant Christian repents and is restored. Who are some people who have departed from the Christian faith and have led many others into false doctrines and practices?