A. Introduction
James encourages us (Christians) that when we are going through times of trouble, we should not complain or lament and swear, but pray. When we are happy we should not act foolishly, but sing. We should realize the power that is available to us through prayer. If there are sick persons among us they
should ask the elders to pray for them.
The act of pouring oil would give the sick person a symbolic reassurance of the divine help being given. When Jesus cursed the fig tree, he was demonstrating the power of prayer in him and he promised that if we believe we shall do more than that. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father”. (John 14:12)
B. Examples of people who demonstrated results due to prayer of faith
1. Elijah: 1 Kings 18:41 ff (the prayer of faith and supernatural rain)
2. Jesus Christ: Matthew 14:15-21 (Jesus prayer of thanksgiving to break limitations)
3. Hannah: 1 Samuel 1:12-20 (Hannah’s prayer of a child)
4. Paul: Acts 28:7-9 (prayer of healing the sick)
C. Lesson
1. When people make requests or petitions to God, they must believe
2. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective
D. Application
1. For us to experience results in our prayer lives we must understand that the qualification
of effective prayer is a righteous life.
2. For us to experience results in our prayer lives we must know God. Elijah was so intimately
in relationship with God that when he spoke heaven obeyed.
3. We must allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of our lives.
E. Conclusion
What the church needs today is not machinery or better, not new organizations or methods, but men
whom the Holy Spirit can use, men of prayer-men mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow
through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint
plans, but men-men of prayer.