Love others by Praying Fervently for Them

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Then he cried out to the Lord, ‘O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?’ Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the Lord, ‘O Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!’ ” (1 Kings 17:20-21)
  Passage: James 5:13-16

        When Elijah took the lifeless body of the boy up to the room where he stayed, he did the most powerful thing he could do. He prayed fervently in three ways. First, he prayed humbly. He acknowledged Jehovah as the only true God, and he gave confession that he had a personal relationship with the Lord. Elijah knew that he couldn’t change the circumstances, but he knew that God could. Second, he prayed honestly. He questioned God and that is okay. Though we know we live in a world where the curse of sin has brought us disease, disasters and death, there are many times, I wonder why God didn’t stop something from happening. God is big enough to handle your questions, so be honest with him as you pray. Third, he prayed wholeheartedly. Three times he stretched himself out over the boy and pleaded with God to restore life to the child. Prayer is not an attachment to loving people through hard times. Prayer, in the name of Jesus, is the foundation of loving people. Pray and don’t quit.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)