Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. James 5:17

The Apostle James brings up Elijah as an example for the power of prayer. Now you might say, “Well Elijah was a prophet and lived a holy life” however if you studied the life of Elijah he was a flawed human just like us all. Yes he was a prophet, but he suffered from mental illness, to the point he wanted to kill himself. However God had a special plan and purpose for Elijahs life

So what is my point? My point is don’t think because you struggle in your faith or have imperfections that God wont answer you or use you to accomplish His will. Elijah in faith still worshipped and prayed to God, and he answered him and did supernatural things

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:18

Elijah prayed that it wouldn’t rain and God stopped the rain for 3 years. And then when Elijah prayed again for it to rain, God provided the rain again. Nothing is impossible for God, Nothing! And Elijah making a request to God to stop the rain may seem ridiculous. However God answered his prayer!

There is power in prayer by faith! Now I’m not saying God will do whatever you ask of him, but if its his will he will let it be done! Don’t believe God couldn’t use you or answer your prayer, he loves you! You may not be perfect, none of us are including Elijah, that is why we have a Risen Savior to reconcile us with God, Amen!

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? 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: James 5:13-14

How many Christians actually pray over people when they are sick or in need of a healing? I’ve been to many Church Services in my life throughout many different denominations, and I rarely have seen this done. Why is this? I think its because of a few reasons:

1. Most people don’t really believe in the power of prayer– Most Christians will say “I’ll pray for you” but most don’t actually believe God could heal you at that moment. If you study the healings of Jesus, everytime Jesus says “Your faith has made you well”. Meaning prayer is only as good as your faith.
2. Most Church services have become to scripted– Most Church services you go to, its like going to a show. They have a script they follow, everyone does their part, and everyone goes home. There is very little time or opportunities to allow the Holy Spirit to work in most Services. Secondly most services are controlled by one person. If that one person doesn’t have the gift of healing by the Holy Spirit, then nobody will ever be healed. However if you allow the congregation to pray over people, better chances someone is anointed with that gift
3. The Pentecostal movement– A lot of Christians shy away from healing and prayer because of the abuse of the Pentecostal movement. Yes there has been a lot of false prophets and fake healings throughout the years, however this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still follow the Word of God and use our gifts of the Holy Spirit.

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much James 5:15-16

Notice a couple things here, the prayer of faith shall heal you. Remember what Jesus said , you cant be healed without faith. Do you truly believe in the power of prayer? Second notice the contrast between sin and healing. Is God with holding healing in your life due to unconfessed sin?

One practice Christians have gotten away from is confessing sin to one another. How often did you ever go to a service and somebody stood up and repented of their sin? Probably never. This is part of the purpose of the Church

Believe in the power of prayer and healing. Confess any unrepented sin to God. Run to the Great Physician, our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!