Theory question 108
Faith, Works and ImpartialitySection C (Themes from Selected Epistles)
(a) Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed…. What other teachings did James give on effective prayer? (b) In what three ways are Christians misusing prayers today?
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(a) Ask God for wisdom; He gives generously (James 1:5).
Ask in faith, without doubting; the double-minded receive nothing (James 1:6-8).
You do not have because you do not ask; you ask wrongly for your passions (James 4:2-3).
The suffering should pray; the cheerful sing praise (James 5:13).
The sick should call the elders to pray and anoint with oil; the prayer of faith will save them and their sins be forgiven (James 5:14-15).
The prayer of a righteous man has great power (James 5:16).
Elijah prayed and it did not rain three and a half years; he prayed again and it rained (James 5:17-18).
(b) Any three: praying for selfish or evil ends (e.g. against enemies); commercialising prayer; praying for show; using prayer instead of work; praying without faith or repentance; trusting prayer houses rather than God.
Summarise James on prayer, then three misuses.