Prayer Power Series

James: Practical Faith (Part 2) 

James 5:13-20

Pastor Jefferson M. Williams

Chenoa Baptist Church 

02-09–2025

Gumball Theology

I love gum balls. If we are somewhere that has gumboil machines, Maxine will make sure to have quarters for me.

But what if I just stood there, staring at the gum ball, with a quarter in my hand?

Would you eventually say, “Hey, you know if you just put the quarter in the slot you can have a gum ball?”

Dr. Adrian Rogers wrote this:

“The greatest problem we face is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. Tragically, many of our prayers are so vague that if God were to answer them, we wouldn’t even know it.”

Fourth century pastor, John of Antioch, know as the “golden mouth” preacher, wrote these words concerning prayer:

“The potency of prayer has subdued the strength of fire, it has bridled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the fates of heaven, assuaged diseases, dispelled frauds, rescued cites from destruction, stayed the su in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt. In prayer…there is treasure undiminished, a mine which is never exhausted, a sky obscured by clouds, a heaven unruffled by the storm. It is the…fountain…of a thousand blessings.”

Video: The Place of Prayer

Review

Two weeks ago, we studied the most controversial verses in all of James.

James was known as “Old Camel Knees” because of his constant prayer on his knees for the Christians scattered throughout the empire.

He finished up his letter with a focus on prayer. He begins with three questions:

Question #1: Is anyone in trouble? Let him pray.

The word “trouble” is very broad. It can mean physical suffering or psychological distress. It covers everything from cancer to criticism, from depression to diphtheria, from mental illness to a mid-life crisis.

Remember that Paul is writing to Jewish Christians who have been scattered throughout the world by persecution. Many of them lost jobs because they refused to say Caesar is Lord. Their lives were full of trouble.

When troubles come, what do we often do? We throw a pity party for ourselves or question God’s goodness.

James has already written that grumbling and complaining are not an option. He makes it clear that we are not to swear oaths to God to get us out of trouble.

His prescription is - let them pray.

What should they pray for?

One of the most important prayers is to have a right perspective on our suffering.

In chapter one, James writes:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Remember that the purpose is in the process and the process is the purpose. When we are in trouble, we often focus on getting out of the situation, when God has something very important to teach us in the midst of the pain.

Question #2: Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

It’s okay to be happy! This word means to be of good cheer or to keep one’s courage up or more literally, “to be well in your soul.”

Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a “time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” (Ecc :3:4)

James issues another command, “Let them sing songs of praise/psalms.” The word sing is used 225 times in the Bible and literally means “to pluck.” This means to sing along with musical instruments.

When things are going well, it is a human tendency to forget God.

Paul encouraged the Christians in Ephesus:

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Question #3: Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 

We don’t have time this morning to go back through these verses. would encourage you watch the video from two weeks ago.

I will say that God is Sovereign and He can and often does heal. But it’s not because we do the right motions or say the right words. He is far more interested in a deeper healing in our souls.