A CALL TO EFFECTIVENESS IN OUR PRAYER LIFE

What is effectiveness? The degree to which something is successful in producing

a desired result. Successful; have you taken time to check the effectiveness of

your prayer life? How do you know you are effective and why should you aim for

effectiveness?

TEXT: James 5: 14- 17

Is any sick among you? 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:

15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Prayer needs to be effective because of its importance in the life of the believer

as well as the church. James gives some reasons in verses 14 and 15. Members

of the body of Christ may need to count on your prayers. Elders and Leaders in

the church should be counted upon to support others.

Corporate prayer is essential for the effectiveness of the church.

In verse 15, The Prayer of Faith does NOT refer to the Faith of the Sick person

but that of the Church.

CRITERIA FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER AS EXPLAINED BY JAMES 5:16

1. Admit your faults – we have direct access to God when we confess our

sin, but this does NOT take away the need to confess wrongdoing against

one another as well. (Further study can be found here: 1 John 1:9,

Matthew 5:23-24). For Couples, the effectiveness of their prayer is

dependent on their relationship (See 1 Peter 3:7)

If our SIN has affected the Church, we must confess it publicly. If we need

loving support as we struggle with SIN, we must quickly confess within the

body of Christ to offer support.

2. Build a relationship with the Holy Spirit – Romans 8:26, Zechariah

12:10-14.

3. Make time for God for example daily meeting with him – Acts 6:4

4. Take Communion with a repentant attitude by following the standard

set in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

– Take the communion after self-examination

– Take it in recognition of Jesus’ ACT OF LOVE to take away the

punishment we deserve

– Take it with mutual consideration – everyone is present and eating