Ordinary Prayers, Extraordinary Power | James 5:13-18

Ever feel like your prayers don’t matter? James reminds us that they do—big time. Whether you’re suffering, celebrating, or struggling, prayer unleashes God’s extraordinary power. Just think: if an ordinary man like Elijah could pray and the skies obeyed, imagine what God could do through your prayers.

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is James 5:13-18.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 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. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. — James 5:13-18

In a quick study of this text, you will see:

The suffering are called to pray.
The cheerful are called to praise.
The sick are called to seek leaders to pray for them.
The sinful are called to confess and be prayed for to be healed.
And then you will also see pray or prayer is mentioned seven times:

"Let him pray." (v. 13)
"Let them pray over him." (v. 14)
"The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick." (v. 15)
"Pray for one another." (v. 16)
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power." (v. 16)
"He prayed fervently that it might not rain." (v. 17)
"Then he prayed again." (v. 18)
Seven times, James emphasizes it in these six verses, weaving it into every situation of life. Whether you're suffering, celebrating, sick, or struggling with sin, the response is consistent: prayer connects you to the One who holds the power to heal, restore, and provide.

But James isn’t simply urging prayer as a ritual; he’s highlighting its transformational power. Prayer aligns the human heart with God’s will. Notice how James references Elijah, reminding us that this prophet, though an extraordinary figure, was a man "with a nature like ours." His fervent prayers stopped and started rain! The key wasn’t Elijah's superhuman nature but his reliance on a supernatural God. Thus, we should see prayer not as a passive act but as a dynamic engagement with God's power.

The takeaway is simple but profound: pray like it matters. In suffering, let prayer be your first recourse, not your last resort. When joyful, let prayer overflow as praise, expressing your gratitude to God. If you're sick or struggling with sin, don’t go it alone—invite others into your situation. The act of confessing and praying together builds spiritual unity and fosters healing.

James reminds us that prayer isn’t limited by human weakness; it's magnified by faith. Like Elijah, you might feel ordinary, but your prayers can yield extraordinary results. So pray ordinary prayers and experience extraordinary power.

Take time to share your prayer in the comments below.

#PrayerPower, #James5Devotional, #FaithInAction

ASK THIS:
When was the last time you turned to prayer as your first response?
How does your view of prayer align with James' description of its power?
What can you do today to invite others to pray with you or for you?
In what ways can you pray with greater faith and boldness, like Elijah?
DO THIS:
Pray intentionally today for one specific need, trusting God’s extraordinary power to work through your faith.

PRAY THIS:
Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the privilege to connect with Your power. Teach me to pray with faith and boldness, trusting You in every situation. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
Don't Stop Praying.