We'll be reviewing the "Prayer, Faith & Patience" booklet, by J. O. Fraser, the Book of James; and the commentary on the Book of James, "Be Mature", by Warren Wiersbe.
We found the term "prayer of faith" in James 5:15, as well as the J. O. Fraser booklet.
One aspect about the prayer of faith has nothing to do with the specific petition itself. It’s not about whether I’m praying a general prayer or a definite prayer. It’s more about my attitude.
When James states: “You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3), he’s referring to more than just asking for material things. In the context of his entire letter, and in the context of the "work" of prayer, he’s contrasting the person who claims to have faith only without works, and the person who "shows forth" his faith BY his works. Not that he is saved by them, but because he is saved, he does the works of God, gladly, and cheerfully.
Whenever I consider this passage and text, I can't help think of Paul's proclamation, "...woe is me if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16). In other words, Paul was compelled to do that which he was called to do; in this case preach the gospel. I suspect he answered the call of God in his prayer life as well. And make no mistake God calls and desires all men to pray for all things, for all men, always and everywhere! (Ephesians 6:18. 1 Timothy 2:1, Philippians 4:6).
So with respect to maturity, which is one of the overarching themes of the Book of James, as Warren Wiersbe pointed out (by the title of his commentary), we've discussed the matter pretty thoroughly - enough to make introspection into our own lives to know where we stand in the spectrum of maturity.
Now it's time to put off the old man and hindrances and seriously dig into the truth of what must be done to sincerely mature in Christ and begin dying to self and taking up my cross, and not expecting everyone else to handle my cross, etc.
Easier said than done, right? Of course! In fact, it is impossible to achieve such a lofty goal on our own. That's why we must continue to press into Him, into His Word. Whether it's prayer work or any other calling requires us to hear from God, which cannot be done apart from His Word.
His Word once converted our soul from lost to found, from hell bound to heaven owned, from sold into bondage to saved out of it, etc. Not one human being has ever been saved (born again by the Spirit) apart from hearing the Word of God at some point and accepting what it says about salvation through faith in Christ.
So just as we we're saved by grace, through the faith in and of the Word of God, Who is Jesus Christ, we become mature by the same Word of God, Who’s Spirit continues to reveal His Truth to us.
And with that maturity will come a refreshing, peaceful, strifeless and effective prayer life (as well as any other calling).
PREPARATION FOR STUDY:
So the all-important question: Where do I stand today?!?!?
In Fraser’s “PRAYER, FAITH, & PATIENCE” booklet, in the section on “Prayer of Faith”, in the subsection “5. Get to Work” (middle of page 6), Fraser seems to marry up the context of James’ relationship between faith and works, and this very specific work of the prayer of faith.
Two parts to preparation for our next meeting:
1. Read through the “5. Get to Work” section on page 6, to the end of page 6 and reflect on where I stand in all of this; and ask the question: “Am I ready to press into the will of the Living God, who saved me, and offers me eternal life?”
Then do like Paul and ask your Lord, “Lord, what will you have me to do?” (Acts 9:6)
We'll talk briefly about this section as we sum up the "Prayer, Faith & Patience" booklet.
2. Review Chapter 13 of the Wiersbe "Be Mature" commentary on James, and then reflect on the twelve (12) questions Wiersbe asks at the end of the chapter.
We will go through those questions as well as some of the questions in the main question section of that chapter.
Wiersbe quotes 1 Corinthians 3:9 near the end of Chapter 13: "For we are laborers together with God; you are God's field, you are God's building."
How amazing and exciting, to be counted as His fellow laborer for the only, perfect, and everlasting foundation of Truth, our Lord Jesus Christ!
Amen!