James 5:16-18 MSG
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.
1. Prayer is essential to the life of a believer.
A. When we do it on a regular and consistent basis, it becomes a habit.
B. It keeps us grounded, heightens our discernment and convicts us when we get off target.
2. We should also seek to maintain healthy relationships within our sphere of influence.
A. It brings wholeness and balance.
B. When we acknowledge issues in our relationships, it fosters spiritual and natural healing.
C. Be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker!
3. Your prayers have the potential to change your life.
A. Internally. Identify things that you have allowed to stop the flow of your prayers to God. Do you have un-confessed sin or harboring forgiveness?
B. Externally. What things have you allowed to become idols in your life? Social media? Unhealthy people? Remove the clutter!
C. When one properly applies the potential of prayer it will change you and will release the power of God in every area of your life.
4. Pray the will of God for Your life.
A. There is a pattern of prayer and when we yield our will to His, we will have access to supernatural manifestation.
B. We are able to accomplish things beyond our abilities when we tap into the power of prayer.
C. Our prayers are made effective by the power of God.
Prayer does not change God but it changes our perspective and how He may respond to our posture of prayer. We have direct access to God because of His sacrifice at the cross. Don’t allow personal barriers to affect the intensity of your prayers. When we address our personal issues in His presence, He will respond your needs. Make prayer a priority!