Based on James 5:13–18
If you’ve been around church for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the phrase: “Prayer changes things.” Even if you’ve never set foot in a church, you’ve likely seen it on a bumper sticker, a coffee mug, or a decorative wall sign.
But maybe you’ve wondered—does it really? Does God really hear us? And if He does, does it actually make a difference?
James, the brother of Jesus, thought so. And so do I.
Prayer Is Not Complicated
Let’s clear something up right away—prayer is not a mystical formula, a secret code, or a churchy ritual for “religious people.” Prayer is simply this: talking with God.
That’s it.
It’s a conversation with your Heavenly Father—just like you’d talk to a friend. It can be done in a quiet room or while driving to work. It can be whispered through tears or shouted in celebration. It can be formal or casual.
We sometimes overcomplicate prayer because we think we have to “sound spiritual” for God to listen. But think about it—if He already knows your heart, why pretend?
Psalm 62:8 says:
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Notice it doesn’t say, “Pour out your most eloquent, polished prayers.” It says, pour out your heart. That means honesty. Transparency. Real talk.
James’ Simple Instructions
In James 5:13–16 (NIV), we read:
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”
James makes it clear: whatever you’re facing, pray.
If you’re struggling, pray.
If you’re celebrating, pray.
If you’re sick, pray.
If you’re in need, pray.
It’s not that prayer is the only thing we should do, but it’s the first thing we should do.
Prayer Moves the Hand of God Toward What His Heart Already Desires
Prayer isn’t about convincing God to do what we want. It’s about aligning our heart with His.
Think of it like sailing. You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails to catch it. Prayer is adjusting the sails of your life so they align with the wind of God’s will.
James points to Elijah as an example (James 5:17–18). Elijah prayed earnestly, and the rain stopped for three and a half years. He prayed again, and the rain returned. But here’s the key—Elijah didn’t pray just because he wanted the rain to stop; he prayed in obedience to what God told him to do.
The miracle started with a conversation between God and Elijah.
Personal Story: The Day I Finally Prayed About It
I’ll never forget a season when I was wrestling with a major life decision. I had weighed all the pros and cons, asked advice from friends, even stayed up late Googling every possible outcome. But strangely, I hadn’t actually prayed about it.
One morning, after weeks of overthinking, I sat down with my coffee and felt this quiet nudge in my heart: “Why haven’t you talked to Me about this yet?”
So I did. I poured out all my confusion, fear, and uncertainty to God. No fancy words—just honesty. And while He didn’t give me a booming voice from heaven or a step-by-step plan, something shifted inside me. My anxiety began to fade, replaced by a steady peace that I couldn’t explain.
The circumstances didn’t change overnight—but I did.
Prayer Changes Us First
We often want prayer to change our circumstances—and sometimes it does. But more often, prayer changes us.
When we pray:
- Our perspective shifts. We start seeing things from God’s point of view.
- Our worry is replaced by trust. Philippians 4:6–7 says that when we pray instead of worrying, God’s peace will guard our hearts.
- Our control is released. Prayer is an act of surrender, admitting we can’t fix everything but God can.
Sometimes the miracle is not that the storm stops, but that God calms the storm inside of us.
When We’re Silent, We Stop Listening
Think about relationships—when you give someone the silent treatment, you not only stop talking to them, but you stop listening to them too.
Prayer is a two-way street. Yes, we talk to God, but we also create space for Him to talk to us.
1 Kings 19:12 tells us that Elijah heard God’s voice not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in a gentle whisper. If we never get quiet, we might miss it.
When we stop talking to God, it’s not that He stops speaking—it’s that we stop hearing.
If He Did It Then, He Can Do It Now
Here’s one of my favorite truths: if God could do it then, He can do it now.
James reminds us that Elijah “was a human being, even as we are” (James 5:17). That means he wasn’t some superhero with spiritual powers we can’t have. He was an ordinary man who served an extraordinary God.
If God could move in Elijah’s life, He can move in yours.
Obedience Opens the Door
Every move of God in Elijah’s life began with obedience. God told him to pray; Elijah prayed. God told him to go; Elijah went.
Prayer is not just about asking—it’s about listening for God’s direction and then acting on it.
Sometimes the answer to your prayer is waiting on the other side of your obedience.
Practical Ways to Activate Your Prayer Life
If prayer feels overwhelming, start simple.
- Set a daily time – Even 5 minutes in the morning can make a difference.
- Pray scripture – Read a Psalm out loud as your prayer.
- Keep a prayer journal – Write down your prayers and note how God answers.
- Pray throughout the day – Short, honest conversations with God while you drive, cook, or walk.
- Pray with others – James says to call the elders, but this can also mean inviting trusted friends to pray with you.
The Chain-Breaking Conversation
I once heard a pastor tell the story of a man who had battled an addiction for decades. He had tried counseling, rehab, self-help programs—but nothing stuck. One day, he sat in his room and finally prayed, “God, I’ve tried everything. I can’t do this. If You want to set me free, You’re going to have to do it.”
It wasn’t instant, but over time, his desire for the addiction faded. He got connected with a church, built new friendships, and found purpose in serving others. He said, “It all started the day I actually told God the truth about my struggle.”
Prayer doesn’t just open heaven—it opens us.
Challenge
What are you facing right now? Illness? Financial trouble? Loneliness? Anxiety? A broken relationship?
James says, “Pray.” Not because it’s the polite thing to do, but because prayer is the power line between your heart and the heart of God.
If you want to see chains break, if you want peace to replace fear, if you want clarity in the middle of confusion—it starts with a conversation.
Turn off the noise. Put your phone down. Find a quiet space. And talk to God about it.
He’s waiting.
Key Scriptures:
- James 5:13–18
- Psalm 62:8
- Philippians 4:6–7
- 1 Kings 19:12
“Prayer changes things. But first, it changes you.”
Pastor Tricia's Ramblings 
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