True Religion - Week Five: "The Prayer of the Righteous"

Today, we will conclude the sermon series "True Religion: Lessons for the Church from James" that we've worked on for the past month. 

James' letter to the Church seeks to answer a vital question for Christians for all times and spaces: 

How do we define what it means to be a Christian? Like the audience of James' letter, we struggle to follow Jesus in our current culture. I can't think of a more important question for Christians right now. 

Today, we will be focused on understanding prayer. 

Have you ever wondered why your prayers may not have been answered?  Are your prayers being heard at all?  Have you ever become frustrated because God is silent when you pray?  Well, James has something to teach us.  

But before we get to that, I've learned that Pop Culture has much to teach us about prayer.  Let's look at famous and heartfelt prayers from TV and film to see how. 

From Talladega Nights: 

Dear 8 pound, 6 ounce newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I’ve won and the 21.2 million dollars – woo!  – love that money, that I have accrued over this past season. 

Also, due to a binding endorsement contract that stipulates I mention Powerade at each grace, I just want to say that Powerade is delicious and it cools you off on a hot summer day. And we look forward to Powerade’s release of Mystic Mountain Blueberry. Thank you for all your power and your grace, dear baby God. Amen

From Meet the Parents

"Oh... Dear God. Thank you. You are such a good God. You are thoughtful. Kind. Gentle. And... accomodating. God. And we thank you, oh.... sweet, sweet, Lord... of hosts. For the... ah... smorgasbord you have so aptly laid at our table this day. And each day. By day. Day by day, by day."

"Oh... Dear Lord. Three things we pray to thee. To see thee more clearly. To hear thee more dearly. To... follow thee... more nearly. Day, by day, by day."

Homer Simpson

“Dear Lord, the gods have been good to me and I am thankful.  For the first time in my life everything is absolutely perfect the way it is.  So here’s the deal: you freeze everything as it is and I won’t ask for anything more.  If that is okay, please give me absolutely no sign.  Okay, deal.  In gratitude, I present to you this offering of cookies and milk.  If you want me to eat them for you, please give me no sign.   Thy will be done.”

But there are also others: 

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

“Please Lord, I just want to see my daughters again. I’ve been separated from my family for so long. I know I’ve been guilty of pride and sharp dealing. I’m sorry I turned my back on you, forgive me. We’re helpless, Lord. For the sake of my family, for Tommy’s sake. For Delmar’s and Pete’s. Let me see my daughters again, Lord. Help us, please.”

It's A Wonderful Life 

“Dear Father in heaven. I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you hear me, show me the way, God. I’m at the end of my rope and I… show me the way, God.”

Forrest Gump 

"Dear God, make me a bird so I can fly far, far away from here." 

What do we do when our prayers aren't answered?  How do know that prayer even works?

James speaks to this, and to the power of prayer.  

TRUE RELIGION IS PRACTICED WITH PRAYER 

James 5:13-20

James shifts gears from the practical to the spiritual—or does he?

13Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 

Suffering? Sick? Happy? Convicted? - Pray.  

15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up, and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 

“The prayer of the righteous…” What’s the meaning of this?  

17 Elijah was a human like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth yielded its harvest.

19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth[a] and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s[b] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Here’s the problem… we all know it’s not that easy.  

It’s plain to see how this can get misinterpreted and abused.  So how do we see this differently?

Prayer connects us to the hopeful energy of the Spirit and to a trust in God that transcends outcomes.  

Anne Lamott - “Help! Thanks! Wow!” We all feel this within us.  

Questions We Need To Ask 

1. What are my intentions when I pray? 

2. Who am I listening to when I pray? 

3. What do I expect when I pray?  

Could the act of prayer be an end to itself? (Becoming the answers)

TRUE RELIGION IS PRACTICED WITH PRAYER