Pray with Faith

Weekly Update – June 6th, 2024

In James 5:17-18 we read, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.  Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

Last Sunday we looked at James 5:13-18 and the call to “Pray with Faith”. This passage is often debated, and for good reason, due to verses 14 and 15.  Questions such as, “what is the prayer of faith?”, “how do we anoint with oil?”, or “is healing guaranteed?” often surround this text.  We addressed these questions as we sought to apply this text to our lives, not only as individual Christians, but as members of the body of Christ, specifically at First Baptist Church.  What we didn’t have time to dive into much was verses 17-18.

Before I show how verses 17-18 fit in with James 5:13-18, I want to briefly review what we concluded with our passage on Sunday.  Beginning in verse 13, we saw that we are to display a dependence upon God for everything.  Whether we are suffering, cheerful or as verse 14 begins, sick, we seek the Lord and display our trust in him.  Verses 14-15 further this theme, with the one who is “sick” calling on the elders of the church to pray over them.  I said that the word “sick” here would be better translated by the word “weary” or “weak”, indicating more of a spiritual emphasis instead of a physical issue.  That means that the person who is spiritually weak would seek out prayer from the elders of the church in order that the Lord might raise them up and restore them.  This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t bring physical sickness before the elders or the church for prayer, but the emphasis in James and the promise given in verse 15 for the sick person to be saved and raised up, is specifically speaking to spiritual weakness. 

What I didn’t give a lot of attention to deals with the reference to Elijah.  How does Elijah fit with this theme and why him and not someone else?  To many Jewish believers in James’s day, Elijah would have been viewed as almost superhuman.  Think about it.  Elijah ate from the beaks of ravens (1 Kgs. 17:4), multiplied a widow’s meal and oil (1 Kgs. 17:14-16), raised up the dead (1 Kgs. 17:22-23), defeated 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kgs. 18:40) and disappeared from the earth in a chariot of fire (2 Kgs. 2:11-12).  Then, James also reminds us that Elijah prayed for a drought (1 Kgs. 17:1) and for rain (1 Kgs. 18:41-46), and it happened.  The conclusion given to us is that “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours”, he just simply “prayed fervently” (Jas. 5:17).

Here are two reasons why I think what James says here about Elijah is important.  First, though Elijah appears to be far above any of us, what he is known for is his fervent prayer.  Though he accomplished great miracles and saw many amazing feats, he is just like you and me.  You too, continue in prayer.  Second, Elijah had to persevere just like we do.  In a moment of great weakness, Elijah prayed, “It is enough; Now, O Lord, take away my life…” (1 Kgs. 19:4), yet the Lord sustained him.  You too, press forward and don’t give up.

Like many of the believers in the book of James, we too face “trials of various kinds” (1:2), fights and quarrels (4:1), oppression (5:4) and suffering (5:13).  All of this can lead to spiritual weakness, so much so that we might fall into the same pit that Elijah did and despair even of life itself.  “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you might be healed” (5:16a).  Why?  “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (5:16b). 

Ultimately, what James is describing here is fellowship within the church.  Fellowship that includes fighting sin together and praying for one another.  Therefore, don’t brush off the normal prayer requests that are given by others, and don’t take lightly their struggles.  At the same time, don’t hesitate to share your heart and struggle with others either.  For together we have been called to persevere and together we will “remain steadfast under trial” as we look to “receive the crown of life” (1:12)

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
- Psalm 139:11-12

Announcements:

Meal Train: Make sure to check the weekly update email to be a part of the meal train for Kamto and Rachel Eze. Didn’t get the update? Email the office for a link to the meal train page.

Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Annual Church Picnic: The annual church picnic potluck will begin at 5pm on Sunday, June 30th, at Freedom Park. Check out the signup sheet in the hallway. We hope that you will plan to join us!

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 8th-Friday, July 12th from 5:45-8:00pm. You can register your kids HERE. We also need lots of volunteers. Check out the sign up sheet in the hall.

Food Pantry: We are in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.