Prayer and faith are a dynamic combination. Because faith demonstrates trust in God to fulfill requests. So when you merge prayer with faith, it is the best way to make good things happen.
Revised: Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Prayer And Faith: Best Way To Make Things Happen
Again, I need to sow the seeds of faith and wisdom in your mind before we begin the lesson. It can keep you from worry and anxiety in this stressful world. Jesus said (in simple terms):
- Matthew 6:31-33 [read Matthew 6:25-34 (31-33)]
- “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but
your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek [be concerned with] the Kingdom of God [give him first place in your life] above all else, and live righteously [his way of doing and being right], and he will give you everything you need. (NLT) - KJV: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
STM Bible Lesson
Lesson focus: James 5:14-16. Bible lesson background, James 5:13-18: Knowing the power of prayer is key. It can restore the sick and diseased to good health, as we hope it will. However, sometimes it is God’s will to heal by way of transition, in other words, leaving this life for the next.
Think about it: when one dies, they no longer suffer. A prayer is a request, not an order. In essence, prayer is a plea for God’s perfect will.
- James 5:14-16 [read James 5:13-18 (14-16)]
- Is anyone among you sick? Then that person should send for the elders of the church to pray over them. They should ask the elders to anoint them with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer offered by those who have faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will heal them.
If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another. Pray for one another, so that you might be healed. The prayer of a godly person is powerful. [Good] Things happen because of it. (NIRV) - KJV: 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: 15 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. 16 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.
God’s Will Be Done
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Prayer is request to a personal Lord who answers as He knows best. We should not think that we will always have success in obtaining the things for which we ask. In His wisdom, God hears and answers in the way that is best.
A. Jesus Prayed Three Times
- Even Jesus, who is God in the flesh, had to accept a different response. In short, had to die at the set time, that was why he came in the flesh, to die for us [Romans 5:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:10].
- Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 [read Matthew 26:36-46 (39, 42, 44); compare Mark 14:32-42 (35-36, 39)! and Luke 22:39-46 (41-43)!!]
- !Mark only mentions two prayers but implies a third. !!Luke only mentions one and says an angel came and gave Him strength!
First Request
- 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (NLT)
- KJV: 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Second Request
- 42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away [Greek If this cannot pass.] unless I drink it, your will be done.” (NLT)
- KJV: 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Third Request
- 44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. (NLT)
- KJV: 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
B. Paul’s Experience: “A Thorn in the Flesh”
- In like manner, Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take his problem away.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 [read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (7-8); Galatians 4:14-15; 6:11]
- To keep me humble and to protect me from arrogance in the aftermath of seeing the incredible beauties of heaven and hearing heavenly truth, I was afflicted with a physical ailment.
It was really an attack from Satan, designed to discourage me and divert me from fulfilling God’s purpose for my life.
8 Three times I talked with Jesus and asked him to heal me, (Remedy) - KJV: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
After Three Requests, God Said
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 [read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (9)]
- But he told me: “My kindness [grace] is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me. (GW)
- KJV: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
C. Words of Wisdom: “There is a time for everything”
- Ecclesiastes 3:2-3 [read Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 (2-3)]
- There is a time to be born. And there’s a time to die. There is a time to plant. And there’s a time to pull up what is planted. 3 There is a time to kill. And there’s a time to heal. There is a time to tear down. And there’s a time to build up. (NIRV)
- KJV: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
The bottom line: even if it is very difficult to live with, we must always be ready to accept God’s plan for the time.
Wisdom Through Prayer and Faith
- James 1:5-6 [read James 1:2-8 (5-6); ]
- But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. 6 But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. (GNT)
- KJV: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Having Trouble? Pray
- In times of trouble; turn to prayer and faith.
- James 5:13 [read James 5:13-18 (13)]
- Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. (NIV)
- KJV: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
God Knows
- Matthew 6:7-8 [read Matthew 6:5-15 (7-8)]
- “Don’t recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again. Remember, your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (TLB)
- KJV: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
You Can Trust God
- Romans 12:10-12 [read Romans 12:9-21 (10-12)]
- Love each other as Christian brothers {and sisters}. Show respect for each other. 11 Do not be lazy but always work hard. Work for the Lord with a heart full of love for Him. 12 Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying. (NLV)
- KJV: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Be happy, because you can trust [you have faith in] God to do what he says. From Romans 12:12 (EASY)
The Facts
When you’re unsure of what to do and need to make a decision, try using prayer and faith!
So, now is the time to remember, God knows what you need (I said this in the beginning), you show that you respect God when you ask for what you need. And that is one of the reasons Paul told the Philippians, (in simpler words):
1. Pray About Everything
- Philippians 4:6 [read Philippians 4:2-7 (6)]
- Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)
- KJV: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
The fact is, as we journey through the Scriptures the prayer of faith is a constant message to the children of God. Jesus encouraged the prayer and faith (belief; trust) concept.
2. Faith is the Key
- Mark 11:24 [read Mark 11:20-24 (24)]
- Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours if you only have faith. (CEV)
- KJV: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
3. Believe That It Will Happen
- Matthew 9:28-29 [read Matthew 9:27-31 (28-29)]
- Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?” They answered, “Yes, Lord, we believe.” 29 Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “You believe that I can make you see again, so it will happen.” (ERV)
- KJV: And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
4. A Good Example
- The Canaanite woman asked in faith and received what she needed. In fact, Jesus was impressed by her faith.
- Matthew 15:22, 28 [read Matthew 15:21-28 (22, 28)]
- 22 Suddenly, a Canaanite woman from that territory came near and began to shout, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed!” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Lady, your faith is great! What you want is granted.” That very hour her daughter was healed. (ISV)
- KJV: 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Pray Always
Prayer crowns all lawful efforts with success and gives a victory when nothing else would. from Barnes’ Notes
1. Never Stop Praying
- Pray regularly – pray constantly (without ceasing; continually; at all times); never stop praying.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 [read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (17)]
- Never stop praying. (ICB)
- KJV: Pray without ceasing.
2. Continue to Pray
- Devote yourselves to prayer.
- Colossians 4:2 [read Colossians 4:2-6 (2)]
- Continue to pray seriously. Stay awake, like people who watch carefully. And remember to thank God. (EASY)
- KJV: Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3. The Apostles Made Time For Prayer
- The Apostles were mindful of their calling and did not want to neglect their purpose;
- Acts 6:2, 4 [read Acts 6:1-7 (2, 4)]
- 2 So, the twelve apostles called the whole group of disciples together and said to them, “It is not right that we should neglect preaching the word of God in order to serve meals [to people]. 4 But we will continue earnestly in prayer and the preaching of God’s word.” (AUV)
- KJV: 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
The Best Way To Make Things Happen
- 1 John 3:22-24 [read 1 John 3:16-24 (22-24)]
- And God gives us what we ask for because we obey God’s commands and do what pleases him. 23 This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we love each other, just as he commanded. 24 The people who obey God’s commands live in God, and God lives in them. We know that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us. (NCV)
- KJV: And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Prayer should be the first thing we do in any situation. If you have developed the practice of constant prayer—you are a “pray first” Christian—and you know that prayer is very helpful to the child of God. Try praying and believing before you make your next decision or when trouble. In fact, praying and trusting God to come through for you at all times is advised. Try it!
Final Word
- Matthew 21:22 [read Matthew 21:20-22 (22)]
- If you believe [have faith], you will get anything you ask for in prayer.” (EXB)
- KJV: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Please receive this final word, if you believe [have faith], then you will receive whatever you pray [ask] for. So, merging prayer and faith is the best way to make good things happen. Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. Please take full advantage of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
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