The Power of a Prayerful Christian
James 5:16b-20

Note: Basic Suppositions for Understanding Christian Prayer
A. God’s Omniscience and Prayer:
a. God has knowledge of all things actual and potential. Theologically, it is referred to as God’s omniscience. God knows past, present and future events at the same time. He even knows the outcome of decisions we choose not to make, even if we had chosen them. It is impossible for God to learn. (1 Sam. 23:10-11; Psalms 139:2-4,6; Ezek. 11:5; Dan. 2:22; Heb. 4:13)
b. God’s knowledge is uncreated and eternal because He is eternal.
c. God’s knowledge provides the basis of what He will decree in His plan.
d. God’s knowledge is self-validating because he is his own self standard.
e. God’s knowledge ultimately glorifies himself.
f. God’s knowledge is different from human knowledge.
g. God’s knowledge provides the basis for all human knowledge.
h. God’s knowledge is exhaustive.

B. Prayer Does Not Change God:
a. Because God is omniscient, it is impossible for God to learn new information in order to make a change.
b. Additionally, the change of one’s mind is predicated upon gaining new information or an unknown circumstance that was not present at the time a choice is made.
C. How prayer works in relation to God’s Plan:
a. Prayer allows us to express our trust in God’s provision and providence. (Matt 6:9-13; Luke 11:9-10; James 1:6-8,4:2)
b. Prayer allows us to get in on what God is doing. (1 John 5:14-15)
1. In eternity (past), God determined what will happen, when it will happen and how it will happen, regarding everything that will come to pass through immediate (primary) and mediate (secondary) causes. What God requires is that we trust Him in the process as we experience His unfolding plan in time.
2. In the temporal (present), from man’s perspective, God will accomplish His plan through the taking into account the prayers of those asked according to His purpose and will.

D. How People Approach God
c. The Genie Approach
d. The Christian Duty Approach

I. The Essentials for powerful prayer (V.16b)
A. One must be righteous [Phil. 3:7-9; 2 Cor. 5:21]

II. The Example of Powerful Prayer (v.17-18)
A. James uses an example of a man who prayed a powerful prayer.
a. Elijah’s Example: He prayed according to God’s word and revealed will (Lev. 26:18-20).
1. Disobedience brings judgment (specific in this case).
2. Repentance brings restoration and blessing (Deut. 28:7-37; Lev. 26:40 ff.).

B. Basic Principles for Prayer:
a. Prayer is plugging into God’s plan.
b. We are to pray about everything.
c. Holy Spirit compensates for our ignorance.
d. We don’t have to pray in a special language.
e. We don’t have to constantly repeat “Father” [Matt. 6:5-7]
f. A certain place/posture is not necessary.
g. Prayer demonstrates our dependence upon God.

III. The Expectation of Powerful Prayer (v.19-20)
A. For the Wandering Christian strays from the path
a. To wander or stray (Gr. planao)

B. Confrontation is Key
a. To Turn him back (Gr. epistrepho) - to turn around (return), to turn back (See Lk.1:16; Mk. 5:30; Jn. 12:40; 2 Tim. 2:24-26)

C. Restoration of Fellowship is the Goal
a. Intercession will save his soul from death: that is, he will deliver (sozo) such a one from death (thanatos).
1. Death in the Bible:
a) Physical death
b) Spiritual death
c) Experiential death
d) The death James is making reference to is the daily struggles of the believer that he or she experiences when falling victim to the power of sin in his or her life. This experiential death results in having a sense of being distant from God and other Christians, carnality and may result in physical illness or death. (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 John 5:16-17; Acts 5:1-11)

b. It Will Cover His Sins

Points to Ponder:
1) You should make it a personal goal to be able to reference the Bible to anyone who needs guidance.

2) Pray that God will give you insight into the Scriptures and opportunities to apply the principles of prayer and restoration in the lives of others. Trust that God will work through your prayer (means) to accomplish His purpose in their lives (ends) for His glory and for your good.


John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 370.