I am a true believer in prayer and how wonderful it can work no matter how bad or how good things seems to be in our lives. Prayer is the universal way of talking to God one on one. That's why I believe that “PRAYER WORKS”.
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Josephine Baker once said, “I believe in prayer, it's the best way we have to draw strength from heaven.” Like Ms Baker, I do believe prayer is the best way we can get strength and gain strength from Heaven.
In our text, James pens these words of inspiration on prayer. Words to help those who are experiencing crisis in their lives or those who gave up hope and don't know what to do. There is power in prayer!
James even raised the question, “Is anyone among you in trouble?” Then he tells us, “Let them pray.” That my friends are the answer because PRAYER WORKS!
Someone posted on my Facebook page this: “Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout life” Has your prayers “steer” you to get your answer from God or is it a “spare tire” to get something from God?
Just for a moment I have several points to challenge you that prayer does work coming out of this text today.
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KEEPS YOU OUT OF TROUBLE
Prayer works because it gets you out of trouble. The old song once told us that “trouble don't last always” but I am here to tell you even in the times of trouble yes, PRAYER WORKS! And let then sing songs of praise. Just letting you know when you pray sing praises.
III.KEEPS YOU HEALED
James was telling us that another prayer of faith is in the healing through Jesus. Prayer works because:
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Again, James reminds us that the prayer that is offered in faith will make the sick person well and the Lord will raise them up; the bottom line is that PRAYER WORKS!
IV. BECAUSE WE CAN BE FORGIVEN
The members of Mother Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal in our sister city of Charleston, SC even in the wake of that tragic evening when a young man sat among them during one of their weekly Bible Study and at the end killing eight persons with the ninth person being their beloved pastor, in spite of what hatred displayed, this church practiced the very principles taught by The Master of forgiveness.
Jesus told us in Matthew 6:5 that, “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Remember this if nothing else that PRAYER WORKS even through forgiveness.
James remind us that if they sinned, they will be forgiven and he also let us know that if we confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. And then James in his conclusion let us know “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” in other words, the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective...PRAYER WORKS.
CONCLUSION
Gospel Legend Dorothy Norwood summed it up when she sang”Somebody Prayed for Me”. Listen to what the words tell us:
Somebody Prayed for Me Lyrics
Verse 1:
Somebody prayed for me,
had me on their mind,
they took the time and prayed for me.
(Oh Yes, they did, I'm so glad)
I'm so glad they prayed (2x),
(So glad they prayed)2X
I'm so glad they prayed for me.
Verse 2:
The preacher prayed for me
had me on his mind,
he took the time and prayed for me.
(Oh Yes, he did, I'm so glad)
I'm so glad he prayed (2x),
I'm so glad he prayed for me.
Verse 3:
My mother prayed for me,
(Hallelujah)had me on her mind,
she took the time out and prayed for me.
(Oh Yes, they did, I'm so glad)
I'm so glad she prayed (2x),
I'm so glad she prayed for me.
Verse 4:
My mother prayed for me,
(Thank You Mother - Thank You Mother)
had me on her mind,
she took the time out and prayed for me.
(Oh Yes, they did, I'm so glad)
I'm so glad she prayed (2x),
I'm so glad she prayed for me.
Verse 5:
Jesus prayed for me,
(Yes, He did now) While He was blessing me,
He took the time and prayed for me.
(Oh Yes, he did, I'm so glad)
I'm so glad he prayed (2x),
I'm so glad he prayed for me.
Verse 6
Somebody prayed for me,
Hallelujah
had me on their mind,
they took the time out
and prayed for me.
(Oh Yes they did, I'm so glad)
I'm so glad they prayed (5x),
Our Father Which art in heaven
Hallow would be thy
Are you glad they prayed
Are you glad your mother prayed
Are you glad the Preacher prayed
Are you glad the Saints prayed
I'm so glad they prayed for me AMEN.
