12 Jul
2026

Let Them Pray

Passage: James 5:13-20

REFLECTION QUOTES

“The letter of James shows one of the church’s early pastors skillfully going about his work of confronting, diagnosing, and dealing with areas of misbelief and misbehavior that had turned up in congregations committed to his care. Deep and living wisdom is on display here, wisdom both rare and essential. Wisdom is not primarily knowing the truth, although it certainly includes that; it is skill in living. For, what good is a truth if we don’t know how to live it? What good is an intention if we can’t sustain it?”

—Eugene Peterson, “Introduction to James” from The Message

SERMON OUTLINE: 
4 Promises of Prayer:
1.He Hears
2.He Gives
3.He Heals
4.He Surrounds

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

When are you most likely to pray? Consider time of day, life circumstances, your own feelings. Are there times, circumstances, feelings that you are less likely to pray in? Why might this be?

Read James 5:13-20. What does this passage show you about God’s character and about being his follower? What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in these passages?

In light of what this passage teaches us about God, how does his character and promises enable you to pray?
What physical reminders or signs encourage or help you to pray?
What does prayer in community look like for you in this season of life? What are the strengths or benefits of praying with others?
In the sermon, the practice of prayer was compared to an oyster forming a pearl. An irritant gets within the shell’s hard surface, the oyster covers the irritant and in this process a petal is formed. We are confronted with “irritants” around us and within us, we cover these with prayer and entrust God to bring about his good in this life or in eternity. What “irritant” are you being confronted with this week? Provide time for your group to pray over these together.
What from this passage and this discussion is something you want to put into practice or be more aware of this week or praise God for?

 

PRAYER

If there are other concerns not already shared during the discussion, share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?

Philippians 4: 4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”