The prayer of the righteous man availeth much

[Anne]

A Study of the Epistle of James

The prayer of a righteous man availeth much!

As I browsed through the prayer forum last night, My heart was deeply touched by all the prayer requests, but specifically I have borne three of those deep in my mind. Two of them recent, one of them some weeks old. I was struck by a feeling of hopelessness, and questioned myself as to whether my prayers would make any difference, I was quickly corrected away from this line of thought in this mornings Bible study of James.

Faithie, Matt & Zoe, and the chap who feels he has done such a wrong in the eyes of God that he will not be forgiven (sorry forgotten your name), this study is for you. Take it to your heart, and know that many prayers are being sent to Almighty God, who is able to conquer all.

Chapter 5

Verse 13

Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing Psalms.

As Christians we are to suit ourselves, to the dispensation of providence. In the day of affliction nothing is more seasonable than prayer. The person afflicted must pray himself, as well as engage the prayers of others. Times of affliction should be praying times. The spirit is then most humble, the heart is broken and tender; and it is then that prayer is most acceptable to God, when it comes from a contrite humble spirit. Afflictions draw out complaints; and to whom should we complain, but to God in prayer? It is necessary to exercise faith and hope under afflictions; and prayer is the appointed means for obtaining and increasing these graces. Is anyone of my beloved brethren afflicted?

Come let us pray together concerning those afflictions!

The early Christians used to sing hymns, in their worship of God. Singing Psalms is a gospel ordinance, and our joy should be holy joy, consecrated to God. Holy joy is becoming in families and retirements, as well as in public assemblies. Let our singing be as such to make melody with our hearts unto the Lord, and God will assuredly be pleased with this kind of devotion.

Obviously there is more to the study of prayer, but it is much too long to post in one sitting, I hope that others will find comfort in these studies as I have done.

God Bless you all

Your Sister in Christ Jesus

Anne

[ayin jade]

Good post.

We are told to pray for others. We are told to take everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. Prayer is always good.

[Anne]

Verse 14

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:

Here are particular directions as to sick persons. It lies upon them as a duty, to send for ministers, and to desire their assistance and their prayers. It is the duty of the minister to pray with the sick, when thus desired, and called for, though the duty of visiting the sick is not confined to ministers in Scripture. Let their prayers be suited to the case, and their intercessions be as becomes those affected with the calamities of others. In the times of miraculous healing, the sick person was to be anointed with oil, in the name of the Lord. It is thought that this anointing with oil was only done by such as had the power of working miracles; and that it is thought by some that when the miracles of Jesus ceased, this right was to be, and has been by some, laid aside!

But even if this is the case, observe here with me my brethren, the healing of the sick is not only ascribed to the anointing with oil, but to the prayer of the faithful!

Your Sister in Christ Jesus

Anne

[Guest Thomas I believe]

A Study of the Epistle of James

The prayer of a righteous man availeth much!

As I browsed through the prayer forum last night, My heart was deeply touched by all the prayer requests, but specifically I have borne three of those deep in my mind.

[Anne]

Verse 15

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

The prayer of faith shall save the sick. There must be faith, both in the person praying and in the person prayed for. In a time of sickness it is not cold and formal prayer that is effectual, but the prayer of faith. The Lord shall raise up; that is, if God have anything further for such a person to do in the world. The great thing we should beg of God for ourselves and others in times of sickness, is, the pardon of sin. If sin be pardoned, afflictions will be removed in mercy, or there is mercy in their continuance. When healing is founded upon pardon, we may say, as Hezekiah, thou hast, in love to my soul, delivered it from the pit of corruption, Isa 38.17. When sick and in pain it is most common to pray and cry, GIVE ME EASE, LORD! RESTORE ME TO HEALTH, LORD! But prayer should rather and chiefly be, O that God will pardon my sins! And everything should be avoided which gives false quiet to any who then, perhaps for the first time, think about God and their souls. Let nothing be done to encourage any to delay, under the delusive imagination that a confession, a prayer, a ministerial absolution and exhortation, and the sacrament, will set all right at last, where the duties of a godly life have been discarded.

God Bless you all

Your Sister in Christ Jesus

Anne