{"id":6405,"date":"2015-04-21T01:36:17","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T01:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.firstofallpray.com\/?p=6405"},"modified":"2015-04-21T01:36:17","modified_gmt":"2015-04-21T01:36:17","slug":"james-516-environment-for-answered-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.firstofallpray.com\/?p=6405","title":{"rendered":"James 5:16\u2014Environment for answered prayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.<\/em> James 5:16<\/p>\n

Therefore, confess your sins to one another<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

James described the kind of atmosphere in which prayers are more readily answered. This is the environment in which people of God feel safe enough to freely confess their sins to one another. This should be the environment found in every Bible study, prayer group, and church. However, when members carelessly toss aside concern for the dignity and privacy of others, that Christian circle is no longer a safe place for those who are vulnerable and hurting. In fact, it becomes unsafe for everybody<\/em> involved until\u2014you guessed it\u2014the offending individuals wake up and repent. If you\u2019ve had difficulty respecting the private concerns of others, take care of business right away. Humble yourself before the Lord and confess it to Him. Don\u2019t be guilty of undermining the safe environment in your fellowship. When you continue in careless discussion you<\/em>\u2014not those about whom you gossip\u2014become the weak link in your group.<\/p>\n

\u2026and pray for one another\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

In a safe, privacy-respecting environment, praying for one another comes naturally\u2014and it brings supernatural results. In such an environment, men and women look out for the interests of others, not merely their own (see Philippians 2:4). Whether praying for someone else face to face or on your own, your genuine, heartfelt prayers of faith\u2014saturated in love\u2014pave the way for the power of God to take over. In such an environment, both leadership and members take their stand in prayer, opening the door for an atmosphere conducive to breakthroughs and miracles.<\/p>\n

…so that you may be healed.<\/em><\/p>\n

This is the environment where healing becomes common place. Broken, diseased bodies are healed, and tormented minds are delivered from bondage. Instead of being dismissed as having little faith, those who remain long in a weakened condition are encouraged and lifted up in faith and love before a God who is ever-present in times of trouble. Instead of being pounded with impatient Bible instruction, those who are still believing for their healing are honored for their gallant stand of faith. This is the environment in which people can be healed.<\/p>\n

The effective prayer of a righteous man…<\/em><\/p>\n

What is effective prayer? Much has been written and preached on this subject by men and women of brilliant, effective faith. In their instruction, these individuals have gone into great detail to depict what effective prayer really is. In fact, in the next verse, James himself depicted such prayer by using the example of the prophet Elijah.<\/p>\n

But I want to stick with this verse\u2014verse 16\u2014and the two preceding verses (…he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up..<\/em>.) to discover a little bit about effective prayer.<\/p>\n

Effective prayer will always contain these three ingredients:<\/p>\n

Effective prayer is prayed in the name of Jesus.<\/em> It is because of Jesus’ substitutionary death that you have the right to go before God with boldness in the first place. You pray in the name of Jesus because you are His. You pray in the name of Jesus because His name is above all other names, and in Him all the promises of God are yes and Amen (see 2 Corinthians 1:20).<\/p>\n

Effective prayer is prayed in faith. <\/em>The eye of faith is less<\/em> upon:<\/p>\n