The Power of Prayer

James 5:13-20

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? 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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. [1] 17 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. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Footnotes
[1] 5:16 Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power

• In what situations does James recommend prayer?
  
• Why might you be reluctant to confess your sins to another person?
  
• How does it help when both parties confess their sins to each other?
  
• Which seems more powerful to you: prayer that stops rain for over 3 years or prayer that asks for forgiveness from God?
  
• Why might you be reluctant to try to turn a straying Christian back to the truth?
• What is the benefit of turning back a straying Christian?
  
• How does your relationship with other Christians determine how fully you will obey this passage?

Harold's Musings:
This passage says so much to me about the type of relationships that a Christian should have. The level of openness and interdependence is hard to grasp. Running throughout is the thread of prayer for one another. While I struggle with v. 15 and whether saving is eternal or physical and whether the lifting up is out of bed or into heaven, the point is clear: we need to be praying for each other and we need to share our needs with each other. The most difficult but perhaps the most important is the confessing sins to each other and the corresponding prayer. Some groups expect confession to be unidirectional, which is not what James says. We need to be open with each other, even to sharing our flaws. Tough stuff for poor old Harold.

Having a Lord is more than words

Luke 6:46

46 Why do you call me Lord, Lord," and not do what I tell you?

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" 23 And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

• What would a master do to a slave that did not do what they were told to do?
• If you are not willing to obey Christ, why would you want to call Him "Lord"?
• Who would most likely get glory from the actions mentioned in v. 22?
  
• How is it possible to do outstanding, supernatural actions in Jesus' name but not be done as a servant?
• What do these passages say to you about determining who your Lord is?
  

Harold's Musings
What a challenging passage!! I can relate to Jesus here. Over the years I have had employees that seemed to have selective deafness. These employees seem to pick and choose what they want to do; yet they expect their paycheck. Yet I am like them. Way too often I have seen a passage in God's Word that momentarily stirred me to act, but I decided no to do it for whatever excuse or reason that worked at the moment. Perhaps the most challenging part of the passage to understand is where the people who did miracles were considered unknown by Jesus. We were studying this once in a small Bible study group and a teenager pointed out that the people were holding up as examples the glorious things they had done. In Matt. 6:1-17, Jesus criticized those who did right things for selfish reasons. Could we become unknown to Christ by consistently choosing our "spiritual" actions to be seen by men?

Slave Like Christ

Philip. 2:5-11

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• What attitude does a bondservant/slave need to have? [v 7: Greek bondservant]
• To what degree did Jesus exhibit a bondservant/slave's attitude?
  
• Of what importance is the "name" that mentioned in v. 9-10?
  
• Who will confess the lordship of Jesus eventually?
  
• How do you feel knowing you are the bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ and that you wear his name?
• What attitude do you have?

Harold's Musings:
This is probably a familiar passage, but most often we seem to focus on having the same attitude that Christ had. I find it less common to hear us talk about the lordship of Christ in our lives. Here is a promise and a threat. EVERYONE will eventually bow and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. For some it will be too late. While we can be concerned for those people, I have to ask myself, "Am I any different?" Do I bow and confess Jesus as Lord throughout my day? How often do I attempt to overthrough Jesus as Lord in my day? Hmmmm. Wish I hadn't ask those questions.

Everyone will Confess

Philip. 2:9-11

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• What is so important about a name in this passage?
• In this passage, what actions are expected when Jesus name is stated?
• What does bowing down have to do with confessing?
• Who will confess Jesus as Lord eventually?
• How does the lordship of Jesus (not friendship nor brotherhood, but lordship) impact your daily walk?
• How much glory does God receive from those who see your life?
  

Harold's Musings:
Our democratic, self-centric culture makes it difficult for me to fully grasp the concept of lordship. If we do not like our leaders, we can attempt to vote them out without fear of reprisal. A lord is usually lord as long as they live. A lord is a master, a king, an absolute ruler, who is not to be questioned. A lord is given respect and honor. A lord is obeyed without question or hesitation. Boy, do I struggle to keep Jesus in my heart as LORD. Somedays it is not so hard, others... How about you?

Confess your Lord

Romans 10:8-13

8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

• What does it mean to "confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord"?
  
• How does belief in Jesus' resurrection relate to confessing His lordship over you?
  
• What do you see in US culture today that provides an illustration or parallel to lordship?
• How might the US culture make it difficult to fully grasp the concept of lordship?
  
• How does calling on the name of the Lord relate to confessing Jesus as Lord?
  
• Why is confession an important aspect of being saved?
  
• Is confession a one-time event or a continual process? Why do you think this?
  

You've gotta confess it

John 12:42-43

42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

• How would the authorities have confessed Christ?
• How would the Pharisees know that these authorities had confessed Christ?
• What prices have you had to pay for your confession of Christ?
• Is confession of Christ a one-time thing or a continuous challenge?
• How do you confess Christ in your daily walk?
• When you are reluctant to confess Christ, whose approval are you concerned about?
• What glory from God are you seeking?

Harold's Musings:
Interesting passage. Particularly for those who state that all that matters is believing. These rulers or local authorities believed in Jesus as the Christ, but they stopped at belief. I'm curious about what was obvious when someone confessed Jesus. Somehow the Pharisees would know. Was it just a one-time verbal acknowledgment or was there some continual action? Did those who confessed follow Jesus around as he moved through the city? Where there assemblies where those who had confessed listened to Jesus teach? There was something involved with confession that was noticeable. Are you a Christian in hiding or are you willing to keep on confessing?

Confession of Name

1 Kings 8:33-36

33 “When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, 34 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to their fathers.35 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. (ESV)

33 When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house, 34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers. 35 When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance. (NASB)

• What does confess mean to you?
• What comes to mind when you think of having to confess to something?
• Compare your understanding of confess and acknowledge.
• What does confessing God's name mean to you?
• How are repentance and acknowledging God as God connected?
• How does confessing God's name relate to repentance, prayer, and supplication?
• How can confessing God's name with your mouth be different from confession of God from the heart?

Confession of Hope

Heb. 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

• How does your anchor of hope give you confidence to approach God?
• What is the new and living way to the holy places?
• Why should we hold fast to our confession of hope?
• What is the difference between having hope and confessing hope?
• What is the reason for meeting together?
• Considering Hebrews 3:12-14, how should faith, clean conscience, and hope impact how we interact when we meet together?
  

Harold's Musings: When I was growing up, it seemed that Heb 10:25 was the really important part of this passage, with the emphasis on "not neglecting to meet together" as the key point. Over the years, this passage has become much more rich and enlightening to me. Here I see Jesus carrying the anchor of hope as he opened the way to the holy places. There are several challenges here as well. For the moment consider the challenge of holding to your confession of hope. Someone heard you say what you hope in. You have heard others confess their hope. Too often we see this confession as a one time event, but this confession is to a large degree a mission statement, a statement that guides what you do and say. When you meet with another Christian, is your conversation about your joint mission or something else?