Bs August 31

August 31 • Bible Study Guide 14

PRAYERFUL COMMUNITY Bible Background • HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor JAMES 5 Printed Text • HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13-18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor JAMES 5:13-18 Devotional Reading • HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Th+5%3A16-22" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-22

AIM for Change By the end of the lesson, we will: EXAMINE situations in which God answers prayers; BECOME CONVINCED that faith in God results in answered prayers; and DECIDE to develop a habit of praying in each and every situation.

Keep in Mind "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13). Focal Verses KJV HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:14" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 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: HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:17" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. NLT HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:14" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:17" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=James%205:18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. In Focus My Prayer for You! May God give you a measure of faith Where you stagger not at His promises, Where there is no room for worry or doubt, So that when troubles are pressing on every hand, You will know what complete faith in Him is all about! May God give you a measure of faith that will keep you, Yes, keep you constantly in His will, So that when you go through the valleys so low, You will render prayer and praises still! May God grant you a faith that can be used to deliver you When your heart is dark with pain, So that you can rest in the fact that He is your Saviour And trust in Him again and again!

—Evangeline Carey Copyright© 1996 by Evangeline Carey. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The People, Places, and Times Elders. The New Testament use of the word "elder" has its origins in the Jewish tradition. Elders in the Old Testament wielded authority in the community. The Hebrew word zaqen (zah-KAYN), meaning "old," is derived from the root meaning "chin" or "beard," referring to a mature or elderly man in the community. Old age was associated with wisdom, so it is no surprise that positions regarded with such esteem were held by older

men. Officials during the Exodus-wilderness period were selected from among the elders (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ex+18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Exodus 18; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Dt+1%3A15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Deuteronomy 1:15; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Nu+11%3A16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Numbers 11:16). Elders also functioned in the life of the family, clan, and tribe. Their responsibilities included settling disputes, leading wars, and imparting wisdom. In New Testament times, elders continued to maintain a position of authority in Jewish communities. Each community had a council of elders, or presbytery. The Sanhedrin council mentioned in the New Testament was composed of elders and priests. The infant church maintained the tradition of having a council of elders, appointing them and ordaining them to serve in the churches founded by Paul and Barnabas in Asia Minor (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+14%3A23" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Acts 14:23; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Tit+1%3A5" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Titus 1:5). Just as they did in the synagogues, elders in the church rendered decisions, at least in the church in Jerusalem (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+15%3A2" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Acts 15:2, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+15%3A4" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 4, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+15%3A6" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 6, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+15%3A22-23" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 22, 23). Their responsibilities may have included pastoral duties also (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+20%3A28" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Acts 20:28; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Pe+5%3A1-4" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 Peter 5:1-4; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A14" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:14). By the second century, exhortation and preaching were among the duties of elders. Prayer. Jesus is the model for when and how to pray in the New Testament. Mark recorded that Jesus often prayed at decisive moments in His ministry, including prior to inaugurating His public ministry (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+1%3A35-38" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1:35-38); after feeding the multitude (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+6%3A46" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 6:46; but not HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+8%3A10" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 8:10); before His arrest in Gethsemane (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+14%3A36" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 14:36, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+14%3A39" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 39); and from the Cross

(HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+15%3A34" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 15:34). Mark also recorded occasions when Jesus participated in the life of the Jewish community where He would have engaged in prayer, such as at the synagogue (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+1%3A21" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1:21; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+6%3A2" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 6:2) and at home celebrations like the Passover (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+14%3A17-26" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 14:17-26). Mark also mentions Jesus' table blessings (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+6%3A41" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 6:41; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+14%3A22-23" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 14:22-23). Where Mark might have assumed prayer, Luke includes that Jesus was praying (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+6%3A12" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 6:12; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+9%3A28" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 9:28). Sources: Davies, G. Henton. "Elder in the OT." Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 2. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962. Shepherd Jr., M. H. "Elder in the NT." Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 2. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962.

Background The closing verses of the letter of James concern life in the community of faith. The main emphasis in the verses for this lesson is on practical advice related to prayer. The power of prayer must be exercised as a necessary element within the community of believers in Christ Jesus. The "prayer of faith" James mentions in HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor verse 15 alludes to the fact that whether a believer receives his or her healing through physical medicine or divine healing, the healing ultimately comes from God. Through prayer, we are demonstrating that we rely on the Lord to honor the prayers we pray in faith and believe that He will respond to earnest prayers and raise up the one who is sick. Scripture further informs us that "if he [the one who is sick] has sinned, he will be forgiven" (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor v. 15, NIV). This truth is also presented to us in three of the Gospel accounts. When Jesus healed the paralytic man, He first told the man that his sins were forgiven. Moments later, when He discerned the thoughts of His nearby critical observers, Jesus addressed them and explained the reason for His actions, "that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+9%3A6" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Matthew 9:6). Jesus then told the paralyzed man to get up, pick up his bed, and go home. The man immediately demonstrated that He had been healed, obeyed Jesus' command, and went home healed and forgiven (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+9%3A2-7" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Matthew 9:2-7).

At-A-Glance 1. The Prayer of Faith (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.c om/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A1315" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13-15) 2. Pray for One Another (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.c om/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A1516" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor vv. 15-16) 3. Power of Prayer (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.c om/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A1618" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor vv. 16-18)

In Depth 1. The Prayer of (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13-15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13-15)

Faith

James's exhortation to the Christian community in chapter 5 addresses how the church should respond in difficult situations. He implores believers to pray no matter what they are going through. No fewer than three times does he use the word "pray." Are you afflicted? James says to pray. Are you sick? Again, James says to pray. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we ought to be in prayer. James reminds us to pray when we are suffering, sick, or have fallen. However, he also reminds us that we are not alone. Believers are called to mutuality in love by our oneness in Christ. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ," we are urged in HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Gal+6%3A2" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Galatians 6:2. How often do we hear of people suffering alone or in silence? Perhaps this is you. But James says that we should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over us. Depending on your faith tradition, this might be an elder, pastor, or priest. Whoever it is, you should have the confidence in knowing that there are leaders in your church who will pray for you. James adds that the elders should anoint the sick with oil in the name of Jesus. Olive oil was a commonly used emollient in the ancient world that was rubbed on the sick or injured to promote healing (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+6%3A13" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Mark 6:13; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+10%3A34" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Luke 10:34). Today, we would likely visit the doctor, who would prescribe medicine or therapy, but the use of modern remedies does not alleviate the need

for prayer and faith to facilitate our healing. Many studies support the view that prayer promotes healing. While James exhorts us to pray when we are sick or afflicted, he also encourages us to be cheerful in whatever our circumstances (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor v. 13). He instructs us to sing psalms or songs of praise. Paul also says that we are to sing "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Eph+5%3A19-20" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Ephesians 5:19-20). 2. Pray for One (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A15-16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor vv. 15-16)

Another

The theme of mutuality continues in James's exhortation to confess our sins to one another and to pray for one another so that we may be healed. James links the healing of sickness with the forgiveness of sins. At the time James lived, many believed that sickness resulted from sin, so that physical healing would also bring spiritual restoration. In HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+2" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Mark 2, friends of a paralytic man bring him to Jesus to be healed. His friends went to great lengths to bring him to Jesus. Jesus declared that because of their faith, their friend's sins were forgiven and he was healed. However, Jesus also claimed in HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+9" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor John 9 that the condition of the man who had been blind since birth was neither the result of his or his parents' sins, but so that God's works might be revealed in him. In either case, God assures us forgiveness of sins if we confess our sins (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Jn+1%3A9" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 John 1:9). Confessing to one another and praying for one another also brings restoration to the community that is threatened by the sins of its members. 3. Power of Prayer (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A1618" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor vv. 16-18)

One of the criteria James lists for answered prayer is righteousness. He recalls the prayer of the prophet Elijah as an example of the power of prayer. Gone were their ancestors, who recalled the Lord's deeds and could pass this information down. For them, the Lord was the God of the past. They had tasted of the new gods worshiped by the Canaanites, and the new doctrine and theology was more appealing to them. Yet, when they were being oppressed by the Canaanites and cried out, it was the Israelite God who raised up judges for them that delivered them. Search the Scriptures According to the Letter of James, when should we pray (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A16"

MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 16)?

What did James say that the sick should do (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A14" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor v. 14)? Why should you confess your sins to one another and pray for one another (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor v. 16)? The prayer of the righteous is __________ and ___________ (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor v. 16).

Discuss the Meaning Why do you think that it is important to pray when we are at our most vulnerable, whether it be physical or spiritual adversity? James describes life in the Christian community as being reciprocal. Church leaders are

supposed to pray for members, and members are supposed to pray for one another. Why is it important that we share one another's joys and concerns, and bear one another's burdens in the church? Discuss how the example of Elijah in HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A17" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor verses 17 and

HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 18 demonstrates the power of prayer. Lesson in Our Society In this lesson, James highlighted the importance of prayer in the time of sickness. Speaking directly to the church, he took an authoritative approach to point out why believers need to lift up one another when healing is necessary. Beginning in HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A14" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 5:14, he began conveying to his readers the process of achieving a positive end result: "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." He went one step further and proclaimed that confessing faults and praying for one another brings about healing and forgiveness. The Word of God will become real to those who have faith in it only when we actually do what it says. As you are reminded of James's counsel, give some serious thought to whether you think we are adhering to his instruction on prayer in society today. Are the leaders of the church today following James's sound counsel on how to pray? What can we do to get us back to following God's Word so that we can reap the rich benefits of practicing it? Make It Happen Many people are afraid to pray. They believe that they are not articulate enough or do not know the words to say. However, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ro+8%3A26" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Romans 8:26 states that we have the assistance from the Holy Spirit to help us when we pray. Even when we do not know what we ought to pray, the Holy Spirit makes intercession on our behalf with sighs too deep for words. We can also practice praying the ACTS model: A —for acknowledge God, C—for confess our sins, T—for thanksgiving, and S—for supplication (asking for God's help for others and ourselves). Follow the Spirit What God wants me to do:

Remember Your Thoughts Special insights you have learned:

More Light on the Text HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13-18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13-18 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. James advises believers on how to respond to different life circumstances. The believers experienced times of joy and times of sorrow (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13-18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor vv.13-18; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jas+1%3A2-3" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1:2-3). James urged them to turn constantly to prayer in whatever circumstances life brought their way, even in going through "hard times" (Gk. kakopatheo, kahkop-ahth-EH-oh) as well as in "health" (Gk. euthumeo, yoo-thooMEH-oh). Prayer may not remove the affliction but it most certainly can transform it. Divine help and blessings are conveyed to the Christian in response either to his or her own prayers or the intercessions of other Christians on the individual's behalf. In all circumstances, it is a Christian's duty and privilege to pray. The Greek word psallo (PSAL-loh) primarily means to play a stringed instrument and then to sing to the accompaniment of the harp. Here it is referring to every sounding of God's praises, alone or in the company of others, vocally with or without musical instrument (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ro+15%3A9" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Romans 15:9; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Co+14%3A15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 Corinthians 14:15; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Eph+5%3A19" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Ephesians 5:19). Through singing, we have the ability to express our thanks to God. 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: In the case of being severely "sick" (Gk. astheneo, ahs-then-EH-oh), when the body may be tormented with pain and the mind considerably disturbed, it is not easy to turn one's thoughts in a concentrated manner to prayer. In any case, the exhortation is to call the elders of the church to pray over the sick and anoint the afflicted person with oil in the name of the Lord (as they did in HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+6%3A13" MACROBUTTON

HtmlResAnchor Mark 6:13). The word "oil" (Gk. elaion, EL-ah-yon) literally means olive oil (from the root elaia, el-AHyah, or "olive"). Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, the divine presence (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Jn+2%3A20" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 John 2:20, HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Jn+2%3A27" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 27). In biblical days, it was used for medicinal purposes (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+10%3A34" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Luke 10:34). The emphasis on "in the name of the Lord" reminds the reader that the Lord is the healer, not the elders. It is neither the oil nor the elders that brings the healing. The Lord Himself is the healer. The anointing of oil is done in His name. 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. The expression "shall raise him up" means to restore to physical health. Physical healing is a form of redemption. Here James is offering God's prescription for healing and the forgiveness of sins, which will deliver the believer from eternal perdition. The Greek word used for "the sick" (ton kamnonta, ton KAHM-non-tah) is the present participle of a verb whose primary meaning is to grow weary in the sense of growing weary by reason of sickness. The verb egeiro (eg-AY-roh) is used in the transitive sense with the Lord as the subject. It means to wake up or awaken from sleep (see HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+1%3A24" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Matthew 1:24 from sleep; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+11%3A11-12" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor John 11:11-12 from death; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+11%3A29" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 11:29 from sitting). In this verse, the word means to wake up from illness. The conditional clause "if he have committed sins" does not mean that the sickness is necessarily due to sin. It may or may not be due to a sin. The Bible does not teach that all sickness is due to a sin committed by the person suffering, although the possibility is there (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mk+2%3A5-11" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Mark 2:5-11; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Co+11%3A30" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 Corinthians 11:30). 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Confess to one another "your faults" (Gk. paraptoma, par-AHP-toh-mah) and pray one to another so that your "deviation from the right path" may be brought to the throne of grace and be forgiven (see HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+5%3A23-24" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Matthew 5:23, 24). There is great power in intercessory prayer. The Greek word deesis (DEHay-sis), translated "prayer," has a more restricted meaning. It denotes a petition, a supplication

(HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+18%3A19" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Matthew 18:19; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ac+12%3A5-17" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Acts 12:5-17). Sin is the enemy of personal and community life; it must be confessed before the throne of grace (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Pr+28%3A13-14" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Proverbs 28:13-14; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Jn+1%3A8-10" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 John 1:8-10; see HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ps+32%3A1" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Psalm 32:1). A righteous man is a person who fears God and obeys His word. His prayers differ from the prayers of others by virtue of their earnestness and their fervency. God listens to him because he fears God and obeys God's Word. His sins have been confessed and are forgiven. On the other hand, God cannot listen to anyone who is unforgiving and lives in sin. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. Here the reader's attention is drawn to one outstanding example of the efficacy of a righteous man's prayer, Elias [Elijah] (see HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Ki+17-18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 Kings 17-18). The phrase "[Elijah] was a man subject to like passions as we are" (Gk. homoiopathes, hom-oy-op-ath-AYSS) means that he was suffering the same things that all human beings suffer. He was not a super human; he was a human being just as we are. Elias "prayed earnestly" is literally, he "prayed in prayer." James, by using a Hebrew infinitive absolute construction (HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Ge+2%3A17" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Genesis 2:17 "to die with death"; HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+22%3A14-15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Luke 22:14-15 "to desire, I have desired"), points out the earnestness that characterized Elias's prayer. James wants his readers to know that they too can pray this type of prayer. It is possible for all the true followers of the Lord to effectively pray in this way. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Elijah's prayer for rain to return and water the dry land is an illustration of the sick returning to life after the prayer of faith. A time of being sick is like a period of dryness. But the prayers of people made righteous through the blood of Jesus are efficient to bring new life. Elijah had faith in the power of prayer. He prayed with boldness and waited on God in every circumstance. We are called to pray with boldness and to wait on God in every situation that arises

(HREF="http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Heb+4%3A16" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Hebrews 4:16). Daily Bible Readings M: Pray without Ceasing HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=1Th+5%3A1622" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 T: The Plight of the Rich HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A1-6" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:1-6 W: Patience and Endurance HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A7-12" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:7-12 T: Pray for One Another HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A13-15" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:13-15 F: The Prayer of the Righteous HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A16-18" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:16-18 S: Stay with the Truth HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=Jas+5%3A19-20" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor James 5:19-20 S: Prayer for Community Power HREF="http://www.crossbooks.co m/verse.asp?ref=Eph+3%3A1421" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Ephesians 3:14-21

—Precepts 2007-2008