Real Faith: Prays
This is the ninth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Prays”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 5:13-20
Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church · The Rev'd Michael Calder
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Show Notes
Sermon & Small Group Resources
This is the ninth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Prays”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 5:13-20
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this Week
BIBLE READING: James 5:7-12
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you ill? 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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: Identify one area in which you struggle to be patient. How does your future hope help enable you to wait?
WARM-UP
What do you think the people on your frontlines think about prayer?
How has prayer helped you in your walk with Jesus?
Read James 5:13-18
According to James, under what circumstances should we pray? Why is it comforting to be able to pray in times of trouble? When in any trouble, what is usually your initial response?
What is the possible ʻdangerʼ of times of peace or happiness? What is the antidote to this?
What is to be the main action of the elders of the community? What does the anointing represent?
Is there any guarantee from this passage that the sick person will be healed in this life? How can God heal people today?
When will the ultimate healing come? How is this far better than anything on this earth now?
How have you experienced the effectiveness of prayer in your life?
Do you ever doubt the effectiveness of prayer? Why/Why not? How could you reassure yourself that God hears our prayers?
How is your prayer life at this current moment? What patterns or rhythms or people (or a combination of them all!) could help you be consistent in prayer?
Read James 5:19-20
What does James call on us all to be doing in these verses? Do you feel like you could do this?
If you were to see someone wondering, how might you point them back to Jesus?
How is this of great comfort to you that people would be looking out for you?
What has been a new or renewed learning for you from James in this series? What could help you put this into practice?
APPLY: What could help you pray more consistently and boldly this week?
PRAYER
Gracious Father, thank you for the amazing privilege of being your children and being able to pray to you. We are sorry for the times that we have neglected this. Please help us to be fervent in prayer and help us as a body to be looking out for one another as we grow as disciples together. We pray this in Jesusʼ Name, Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: Who are three people you are praying for to become followers of Jesus? Alpha could be a great next step!
Listen, Watch, and Read:
Listen: “James 5:13” by Dick Lucas
Listen: “Undivided” by John Dickson
SERIES Resources:
Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)
Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)
Course: Introduction to James
Grow as Families
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook