a) Relate the teaching of James on effective prayer. [11 marks] (b) Give four causes of unanswered prayers [4 marks]

Answer Details

(a) The teaching of James on effective prayer (James 5:13-18)

James taught that prayer is the proper response to every situation of life. He said, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." His teaching on effective prayer includes the following:

• Prayer in sickness: "Is anyone among you sick? 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. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
• Confession and mutual prayer: "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." Prayer should be accompanied by a clean and forgiving heart.
• The power of righteous prayer: "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Effective prayer must come from a righteous life and be offered fervently and in faith.
• The example of Elijah: Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain and the earth bore its fruit. This shows that the fervent prayer of an ordinary but righteous person can achieve great results.

(b) Four causes of unanswered prayers

• Unconfessed sin and an unclean heart, which separate a person from God.
• Lack of faith, doubting when one prays.
• Wrong or selfish motives, asking in order to spend it on one's own pleasures.
• An unforgiving spirit, disobedience, or hypocrisy which hinders fellowship with God.