SEVEN HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS Taken primarily from James 5

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 1. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS OUR SOURCE

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 2.BE PATIENT WITH GOD— BUT EXPECTANT (James 5:8 NIV) You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 2.BE PATIENT WITH GOD— BUT EXPECTANT (James 5:11 NIV) As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 2.BE PATIENT WITH GOD— BUT EXPECTANT

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 3.BE PATIENT WITH ONE ANOTHER (James 5:9 NIV) Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 4.BE PURE IN OUR PETITIONS (James 5:12 NIV) Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 5.BE PURPOSEFUL (James 5:13 NIV) Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 5.BE PURPOSEFUL The King James uses the term "effectual fervent prayer."The King James uses the term "effectual fervent prayer." The following quote from William Lee illustrates this well:The following quote from William Lee illustrates this well: It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are:It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are: nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they are;nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they are; nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be;nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be;

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 4.BE PURPOSEFUL nor the music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be;nor the music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be; nor the logic of our prayers, how argumentative they may be;nor the logic of our prayers, how argumentative they may be; nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be -- which God cares for.nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be -- which God cares for. Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much.Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 6.CALL FOR ELDERS (James 5:14-15 NIV) 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. 15 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.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 7.CONFESS OUR SINS (James 5:16a NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 7.CONFESS OUR SINS Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? -- Corrie Ten Boom

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 7.CONFESS OUR SINS Do not expect God to cover what you are not willing to uncover. -- Duncan Campbell, Leadership, Vol. 3, no. 4

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 8.BE A RIGHTEOUS PERSON (James 5:16b-18 NIV) The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 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.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 8.BE A RIGHTEOUS PERSON 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS 8.BE A RIGHTEOUS PERSON Charles Spurgeon left this snippet of wisdom: "Some brethren pray by the yard; but true prayer is measured by weight, and not by length."

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS The greatest answer to prayer is when a person is converted from the error of his own ways and follows Christ.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS (James 5:19-20 NIV) My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

HELPS TO OUR PRAYERS PREVAILING PRAYER Must be SpecificMust be Specific Must Agree with God's WillMust Agree with God's Will Must be in Submission to God's willMust be in Submission to God's will Must be filled with desireMust be filled with desire The answer is in proportion to the passion.—Charles FinneyThe answer is in proportion to the passion.—Charles Finney