“And Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees” Prayer is a hedge Paul did not spend every minute in prayer His success came from habitual prayer Lesson: Do not stop praying w. regularity in every circumstance of life. Dn.6:10 Ro.12:12; Ep.6:18; Col.4:2

James took prayer seriously Prayer – God’s Hedge 1. We may pray at any place This hedge is portable 2. We may solicit any blessing This hedge is profitable 3. We may pray for any person This hedge is positive James took prayer seriously

I Pray For Wisdom, Ja.1:5 2-4, Summary: persist in endurance until it has accomplished all that it can accomplish 1. Trials will come, 2b (“When…”) 2. Trials come in varieties, 2c a. Economic (2:6) b. Physical (5:14) c. Church (5:19-20)

3. Trials call for a proper response, 2a: all joy! * Does not say, “Enjoy the trials” 4. Trials can bring blessings, 3-4 a. There is purpose in it all b. They give us steadfast endur- ance c. After time, this makes us mature

Ja.1:5, wisdom In view of 2-4, no wonder! (Lk.17:1-4, 5) We must ask God, 5 * Endurance by itself would not supply wisdom 1 K. 3

God gives wisdom The giving God 2. He gives liberally The generous God 1. He gives to all The giving God 2. He gives liberally The generous God 3. He does not reproach The gracious God He offers an open hand, not a clenched fist

Ja.1:6-8, ask in faith * If we believe He can’t… [Mk.6:5] 1. Doubters need not apply, 6 * If we believe He can’t… [Mk.6:5] Doubters are like a wave, 6 * Aimless Doubters do not receive anything, 7 4. Doubters are double-minded, 8 * A divided-heart. Opposite of liberally (5). Ct. Mt.22:37

II Pray Without Worldliness, Ja.4:1-4 1, wars and fights come a. Ja.3:14-16, a chronic state b. Christians were degenerating to level of Jews (filled w. lust, seeking pleasure, jealous…) c. “If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumb- ling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about”

Desires for pleasure cause wars, 1 a. James explains how fights get started and escalate b. “desires for pleasure...war in members” [Ro.7:23] c. Explanation: “I want my way” d. “There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him”

Lust, murder, covetousness, and fighting . . . (2) . . . do not get us what we want James explains why prayers are not answered

Failure to ask does not work (2) [Mt.7:7] 3, nor does asking amiss a. Spend it on pleasures b. The problem is in us, not God c. Selfish prayers are no prayers * Mk.10:35-40 d. “The real tragedy of our prayers is not that God so often refuses to grant them. The tragedy is we so often ask for the wrong thing”

Worldliness is spiritual adultery (4) James expresses shock a. Surely you know! (1:27) b. “World” = system of satan

III Pray For Weak And Wayward, Ja.5:13-18 Two types of prayer: 1. Miraculous 2. Non-miraculous (providential) a. Non-miraculous: 13, if suffering, pray b. Miraculous: 14, if sick, call for elders to pray . . . * Col.4:14

Anoint w. oil, 14b Oil healed some ailments, Lk. 10:34 Mk. 6:13, a symbolic act. [Jn. 9] James credits the cure to prayer Spiritual gifts: apostle’s hands, Ac.8:18 One was healing, 1 Co.12:9 Not all had these gifts, 1 Co.12:28ff

Spiritual gifts were natural for elders W/o revelation, they would lack instructions to guide the flock If not miraculous, why call for elders? (Any Christian could pray for the sick) Miraculous gifts are not available today; anointing w. oil no longer needed as a symbol * 15, prayer of faith will save the sick (healed). Mt.17:…19-20

Non-miraculous prayer for sinner, 15b-16a Forgives (salvation); prayer for one another heals (spiritually) 16b, “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (ESV) “The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness” (NET)

Non-miraculous prayer from miracle-working prophet 17-18, prayer can change the weather Elijah had miraculous power (1 K.17:17-24) This is not what James tells us Elijah’s nature was like ours (17) 1 K.18:42-45, cloud is natural means

James’ arrangement: 2. James’ assurance: b. Ask (4:2-3) a. Ask (1:5-6) b. Ask (4:2-3) c. Pray; prayer; prayed (5:13-18) 2. James’ assurance: a. God’s love wants the best for us b. God’s wisdom knows what is best c. God’s power can accomplish it