Welcome to online worship at OHCC! Please keep scrolling down the page to participate in the full worship liturgy: prelude, welcome, call to worship, songs, scripture reading, congregational prayer, sermon, and benediction.
As a new alternative way to participate, you can watch the worship videos as a playlist on YouTube through your TV or other internet enabled device. The videos will progress one after another for a more seamless experience! Simply click here… or search for “Oakland Hills Community Church” on YouTube, look for the “playlist” tab and click on this weeks playlist.
Welcome, Announcements, and Call To Worship
- Welcome everyone. We are glad you joined us for worship. Here are a few announcements…
- Sunday, April 12 – Resurrection Day Worship Celebration
- Sunday, May 17 – Law Enforcement Appreciation Sunday – stay tuned for more details
- Click here for online giving
The call to worship comes from Psalm 130 “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas!”
Song 1: O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Song 2: Before the Throne Of God Above
Congregational Prayer
Song 3: Great Are You Lord
Hearing the Lord’s Message
Today’s message focuses on prayers that are heard by God.
When His people cry out to Him, He always responds!
Song 4: O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus
Message Summary
The Bible is full of instruction on prayer, we are only going to deal with one area this morning – in fact, when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray…. It was well over 2 years into Jesus’ ministry. They had seen him pray, they heard him pray, and as Martha said to Jesus, ‘We know that our heavenly Father gives you whatever you ask.”
What do you think?
Our text in James 5 is one of the most powerful passages in the entire Bible. “The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.” Fervent Prayer. Rarely do we use this adjective…. The Greek word Fervent = Hot, impassioned, energize.
What are the areas needing Prayer? When is prayer effectual?
What are significant observations about effectual prayer? It is pleading for a special request. James’ colorful use of the Greek words he chooses describe a prayer this is like as tsumani that shakes the doors of heaven. God doesn’t simply answer any prayer, but the prayers of the righteous. That is people who have become righteous in Christ Jesus. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” How does Mark 9:29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Elijah the Old Testament prophet was revered. He raised a widow’s son who died.
He called down fire from Heaven. As the man of God, he took out two regiments of an army by calling fire from heaven. He didn’t even die; he was taken to heaven in a chariot. Did James pick the wrong guy to illustrate prayer? What can you learn from Elijah’s prayer life that will encourage you to pray in your own life?