Here are my notes for today’s sermon by Dr. Keith Cowart at Christ Community Church.
References: James 5:16, Mark 9:29
Do we truly believe that prayer is powerful? That it makes a difference? That it is effective or powerful?
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he 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 man is a powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. 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” James 5:16
“The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 (KJV)
“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16 (NASB)
James is saying that when we pray, something WILL change. Elijah was a normal man, just like you and I, but when he prayed, God did something.
The Bible is a book of examples, not exceptions… (John Eldridge)
When we read the Bible and see miraculous answer to prayer, we should ask “Why don’t I see that happening in my life?” God not only moves in the miraculous but in the ordinary.
Let him pray in faith and God will move.
Conditions for prayer:
1. Righteousness
- One who is in a right relationship with God
- We are called to live in righteousness by daily submission to God.
- Connection between your life and the power of prayer. The way you live matters tremendously…He is a holy God and cannot have fellowship with unholiness.
- Must live according to the will of God, must PRAY according to the will of God.
2. Fervency
- Scripture indicates that the heart of God is moved by the fervent, passionate, desperate prayers of His people. The challenge is to not turn this act into a work. Seek him PASSIONATELY, not casually.
- Elijah prayed 7 times before it stopped raining. He was persistent, he never gave up.
- When he prayed for it to rain again, it took 3 times before he saw a small rain cloud.
- Anna prayed for 60 odd years (20’s to 80’s) for the coming of the Messiah and after 60 years saw the fruit of her prayer.
- In the garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed so fervently, he sweated drops of blood.
- The disciples were waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and prayed constantly, corporately for the Holy Spirit to rain down on them.
“So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting’” Mark 9:29
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash our face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” Matthew 6:16-18
Fasting…we fast when we want to submit and give over total control and dependency to the Lord. Giving up total and complete control of your well-being to Him. You are so hungry for Him that human food cannot satisfy. We have gotten away from this as His Church.
Complete and total dependence on God…no plan B, only His plan…rely on Him completely.
Simply pray…
