All of this is part of our fellowship with one another within the body of Christ. The fellowship of prayer that we are talking about this evening is more commonly known as intercessory prayer. It is the prayer you offer for another. Upward prayers focus on God. Inward prayers focus on self.
Outward prayers focus on others.
They are prayers of intercession in which we bring the needs and concerns of others before the mercy seat of God. James wants to see outward prayer within the fellowship of those who have died with Christ and have been raised with Christ. According to our text outward prayer is a duty. It is a command. Outward or intercessory prayer is our duty as Christians.