Lesson Summary

In this second lesson of the Teach Us to Pray series, we explore the purpose behind prayer. Prayer is more than words—it is the heartbeat of our faith, connecting us to God’s presence, His will, and His transforming power. Through James 5:13–20, we see that prayer restores, strengthens, and redeems.

Guiding Question

Why do we pray, and what happens in us and through us when we do?

Lesson Point

Prayer is not about informing God of our needs; it is about inviting Him into every part of our lives. We pray because it aligns our hearts with His, builds faith through action, and opens the door for healing, forgiveness, and restoration in our communities and within ourselves.

I have three points I want to share in today’s lesson.

Point 1 – Prayer in Every Circumstance James 5:13–15 We pray in times of trouble, joy, and sickness because prayer keeps us connected to God’s presence and reminds us that He is both our healer and our helper.

Point 2 – The Power of Righteous Prayer James 5:16–18 Summary: The prayers of those who walk with God carry power—not because of who we are, but because of who He is and what He can do through faith-filled, sincere prayer.

Point 3 – Prayer That Restores Others

Related Verse: James 5:19–20 Summary: Prayer reaches beyond our own lives to bring back those who have wandered from truth, helping to restore relationships and redeem hearts through God’s mercy.

Closing Reflection

While I unpack this lesson, I want you to ask yourself: Why do I pray, and what does God want to accomplish through my prayers?

Wisdom Begins with God – Proverbs 1:7–9; 2:1–5; 3:5–7

How do we keep God at the center of all we do?

The fear — or reverence — of the Lord is not fearfulness but the foundation of a meaningful, purposeful life.

Growing up, I often heard the elders in church say,

“God is the head of my life.”

At the time, I thought I understood what that meant. But as I grew older, I realized it’s one thing to say it, and another thing to live it. Keeping God at the center requires daily surrender — it means giving Him the first word and the final say in every decision.

This lesson—“Teach Us to Pray: The Jesus Way”—begins our series The Way of Prayer. It’s designed to help us rediscover prayer the way Jesus taught His disciples to pray: with intimacy, humility, and alignment with God’s will.

Guiding Question When people pray, are they following Jesus’s way of prayer—beginning with relationship and reverence—or are they treating prayer as a wish list for their needs?

Jesus opens the Lord’s Prayer by reorienting our hearts. Before we ever ask for anything, He reminds us to start with relationship, reverence, and recognition—acknowledging who God is, where He reigns, and how He desires to be known.