HOW TO PRAY ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS

Tonight our text is found in James 5:13-20 and the title of my message is, “How To Pray About Your Problems.”  James uses the word “pray” or “prayer” seven times in this passage.

In a March 1997 Newsweek Poll of 751 Adults nationwide it was determined that 82% of Americans say they ask for health or success for a child or family member when they pray, 75% ask for strength to overcome a personal weakness.  87% say that God answers prayers; 51 think God doesn’t answer prayers to win sporting events; 36% pray for financial or career success.  29% say they pray to God more than once a day; 25% pray once a day; 82% say they believe God does not play favorites in answering prayers.  79% say God answers prayers for healing someone with an incurable disease; 73% think prayers for helping find a job are answered.  54% say that when God doesn’t answer their prayers, it means it wasn’t God’s will to answer; and 82% don’t turn away from God when prayers go unanswered.

Each chapter in the book of James describes for us how to become a mature Christian.  One of the marks of a mature Christian is one who is prayerful in times of trouble.  If trouble drives you to prayer, prayer will drive the troubles away.

Awhile back Jeanne Jessie sent me an e-mail about prayer.  It was a letter that someone had written to God.  It said:

Dear God,

So far today I’ve done alright.  I haven’t gossiped.  I haven’t lost my temper.  I haven’t lied or cheated.  I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent.

I’m very thankful for that.  But in a few minutes, Lord, I’m going to get out of bed; and from then on, I’m going to need a lot more help.

Tonight I would like us to look at four ways James says I need to pray about my problems.