The Set Up: James, who was the half-brother of Jesus, told the church that they should pray for each other. Those prayers, James said, are, “powerful and effective.” In actuality, the Greek words that James used are better translated, “powerful, having been made effective.” Our prayers are powerful because they have been made effective. What makes your prayers and mine effective? The resurrection of Jesus. It’s not how articulate we are when we pray. It’s not using special words or phrases. It’s praying in the name of Jesus, who died and then CAME BACK TO LIFE, that makes our prayers powerful. And when we pray for each other in Jesus’ name, things happen.
Passages to Read: James 5
Reflection Questions:
1. When you pray, do you believe that your prayers are powerful and effective? Why or why not?
2. James uses Elijah, “a man just like us,” as an example of the power we have in our prayers as regular people. How does this help or embolden you to pray?
Prayer Idea: If you really believed that your prayers were powerful and effective because of Jesus, what would you pray for? Make those your prayers today, and tomorrow, and the day after that. Persist in prayer and see what God will do.