James
WHY JAMES?
Jesus gave James (and his brother John as well) the name Sons of Thunder! James was zealous for Jesus, intolerant of evil. He feared no man, only God. In fact, in church tradition, he is known as James the Great to distinguish him from James the Less, the son of Alpheus (one of the Twelve).
Prayer and Teaching of James
The records of prayer’s achievements are encouraging to faith, cheering to the expectations of saints, and an inspiration to all who would pray and test its value. Prayer is no mere untried theory. It is not some strange unique scheme, concocted in the brains of people, and set on foot by them, an invention which has never been tried nor put to the test. Prayer is a Divine arrangement in the moral government of God, designed for the benefit of all and intended as a means for furthering the interests of His cause on earth, and carrying out His gracious purposes in redemption and providence. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
Prayer and Teaching of James
God’s only condition and limitation of prayer is found in the character of the one who prays. The measure of our faith and praying is the measure of His giving. Like as our Lord said to the blind man, “According to your faith be it unto you,” so it is the same in praying, “According to the measure of your asking, be it unto you.” God measures the answer according to the prayer. He is limited by the law of prayer in the measure of the answers He gives to prayer. As is the measure of prayer, so will be the answer. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
Prayer and Teaching of James
Really the promises of God to prayer have been pared down by us to our little faith, and have been brought down to the low level of our narrow notions about God’s ability, liberality and resources. Let us ever keep in mind and never for one moment allow ourselves to doubt the statement that God means what He says in all of His promises. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)