A Time to Pray

In this final message through "A Faith That Works," Pastor Ron closes the book of James with James 5:13–20 — a passage where the word prayer appears seven times in eight verses. The subject is prayer, and the challenge is to become a people who actually pray.

Prayer Is a Privilege, Not a Last Resort:

You cannot get an audience with the president. You can't walk into a boardroom unannounced. But the King of Kings says, "Come on in — I'd love to spend some time with you." Prayer should be as natural to the believer as breathing. George Mueller built orphanages on prayer alone. Elijah prayed and it didn't rain for three and a half years — then prayed again, and it did.

Prayer for Every Situation:

Is anyone suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone sick? Let the elders pray. James covers the full range of human experience and says prayer is the response to all of it — not just the hard moments, but all of them.

The Power of a Righteous Person's Prayer:

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James points to Elijah — a man with a nature like ours — as evidence that prayer moves things. The early church prayed, and Peter was released from prison. Paul and Silas prayed in a dungeon, and an earthquake opened the doors and led the Philippian jailer to Christ. Prayer works.

Restoring the Wandering:

James closes by reminding us that part of the ministry of prayer is turning people back — those who wander from the truth. Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way saves a soul from death and covers a multitude of sins. That's not just the pastor's job. That's the work of the whole church.