PRAYER: Changes Things
Preached to: Middle & High School Students
Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn
Big Idea: Prayer brings transformation in us and in the situations around us.
Prayer isn’t just a religious ritual—it’s a lifeline that connects us to God’s power and presence. James reminds us that prayer isn’t reserved for spiritual “superheroes.” God listens to ordinary people, and when we pray in faith, He moves.
3 Key Points
Prayer Has Power
The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Like flipping on a light switch, prayer activates God’s power in our lives and pushes back darkness.Prayer is for Ordinary People
Elijah was human just like us—weaknesses, doubts, and all. Yet God heard his prayers and responded. If He listened to Elijah about the rain, He will listen to your everyday needs.Prayer Brings Results
Prayer produces change—sometimes in circumstances, sometimes in people, and always in us. God may answer with “yes,” “wait,” or “no,” but prayer always transforms.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate your prayers. God isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for surrendered hearts that call on Him with faith.
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Night 1 – The Power of Prayer
Scripture: James 5:16
Discussion Questions:What does it mean when James says prayer is “powerful and produces wonderful results”?
Have you ever prayed about something and saw God answer? How did it impact your faith?
Why do you think people sometimes underestimate their own prayers?
Action Step: This week, choose one “dark” situation in your life (school, family, friends, sports, etc.) and pray daily, believing prayer is like flipping the light switch to God’s power.
Night 2 – Ordinary People, Extraordinary God
Scripture: James 5:17 / 1 Kings 18:41–44
Discussion Questions:Why do you think James pointed out that Elijah “was human just like us”?
How does knowing Elijah wasn’t a superhero encourage you to pray?
If God cared about Elijah’s prayer for rain, what does that say about the things God cares about in your life?
Action Step: Pray about something specific and practical this week (like a test, friendship, or anxiety). Trust that God listens to your voice just like He listened to Elijah’s.
Night 3 – Prayer Brings Results
Scripture: James 5:18 / 1 Kings 18:45–46
Discussion Questions:Why do you think God sometimes answers “yes,” sometimes “wait,” and sometimes “no”?
How can prayer change not just circumstances, but also our hearts and perspective?
What’s one area in your life you’d like to see God transform through prayer?
Action Step: Start a simple family prayer journal. Each person writes one prayer request and the family checks back in a week to see how God answered or brought peace in that situation.
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Intro – The Pop Quiz Prayer
Story of Josh and the surprise quiz.
Reminder: Sometimes God answers prayer in ways we don’t expect—He has the bigger plan.
Question: How many of you have ever prayed and seen God move?
Transition: Tonight we’re looking at the WHY of prayer.
Point 1: Prayer Has Power (v. 16b)
The prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces results.
Righteous = not perfect, but in right standing with God through faith.
Illustration: Prayer as a light switch—God’s power is available, but prayer connects us to it.
Application: What “dark” situation in your life needs the light turned on through prayer?
Point 2: Prayer is for Ordinary People (v. 17)
Elijah was human, just like us—weak, tired, and imperfect.
His prayers still brought drought and then rain.
Takeaway: The miracle wasn’t in Elijah—it was in God.
Illustration: If God cares about Elijah’s weather prayers, He cares about your tests, friendships, and anxieties.
Application: Don’t disqualify yourself. Pray boldly this week about something that matters to you.
Point 3: Prayer Brings Results (v. 18)
Elijah prayed again and rain came.
Prayer doesn’t just comfort—it transforms situations and perspectives.
Jesus modeled this by praying before major decisions and moments.
Application: Trust God’s answers—whether “yes,” “wait,” or “no”—knowing prayer always changes things.
Challenge / Altar Call
Are you underestimating your prayers?
Do you believe God hears you?
What do you need to see change? Bring it to Him tonight.
Leaders pray alongside students, modeling James 5:16.
Encourage bold prayers: “God, do the impossible.”
Next Steps for Students
Daily Prayer Challenge – Pray 5 minutes each day for one specific situation.
Prayer Partner – Text a friend once this week: “How can I pray for you today?”
Prayer Journal – Write down how God answers or shifts your heart. Share testimonies next week.
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James 5:16–18 (NLT):
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!
18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
1 Kings 18:41–46 (NLT):
41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”
42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.
43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”
The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”
45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.
46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.
