Christian Religious Studies Paper 2 WASSCE (PC), 2016

Question 8

(JAMES 1:2-8, 5:13-18)

  1. Describe the right attitude to prayer as recommended by James
  2. State two reasons why Christians cannot pray affectively.

 

 

This question was not all that popular with the candidates. However, many of them chose it in preference to Question 9 since the rubrics required them to answer a question in Section C. Majority of the candidates were unable to outline the points which James spoke about in relation to the right attitude to prayer. They were writing on the types of prayers and on how Jesus taught the disciples on how to pray (the Lord’s Prayer). Candidates were expected to outline their points as listed below:

  1. James advised Christians to be holy because God is holy and does not tolerate sin unless it is confessed and repented of.
  2. James says Christians should be joyful when trials come their way.
  3. He says the testing of one’s faith leads to steadfastness which in turn produces perfection.
  4. Christians should be persistent in prayer.
  5. According to James if anyone needs wisdom he should ask God and he would be given generously.
  6. But petitions made to God should depend upon His will and glory/God has the right to answer prayers.
  7. He says faith is a necessary condition for answered prayer.
  8. He says if one shows doubt while praying the one is like a wave of sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
  9. A double-minded person would not receive anything from the Lord.
  10. James holds the view that anyone who is suffering should pray and be cheerful and sing hymns.
  11. Christians should pray with humility.
  12. He said the sick should be prayed for by the elders after anointing him with oil in Jesus’ name.
  13. He says the prayer of faith will easily heal the sick.
  14. James advocates that we confess our sins to one another and pray for one another.
  15. He further states that the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. 
  16. Finally James makes mention of the fact that Elijah prayed that there should be no rain for three and half years and it did not rain.
  17. He again prayed that it should rain and it did.

The B part of the question was less problematic to most of the candidates as they performed better in this part than the A part. They easily pointed out these factors using their discretion and initiative to speak about what factors can hinder an individual from praying effectively like lack of faith/doubt/double mindedness during prayer, lack of wisdom, unforgiving spirit, lack of concentration, unconfessed sins etc.

In totality, majority of the candidates who attempted the question scored low marks because of the scanty points they gave especially in the A part.