The Power of Prayer

 

 THE POWER OF PRAYER

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” - James 5:16

For most of this calendar year, I have written about prayer. Most of my messages have focused on our Lord's prayer life. No one prayed like Jesus did. We spent several months going verse by verse through John 17, the longest recorded prayer of our Lord. Hopefully, we've learned much about prayer.

Yet there is an important point to be made. It is one thing to study about prayer, but it is another thing to actually pray. While there are many excellent books about prayer, wonderful songs about prayer and stirring sermons about prayer, they are not a substitute for personal prayer.

James wrote, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” This one sentence indicates that great things happen when God's people pray. In response to prayer, God has healed, delivered and saved. God has brought revival in response to prayer. People have found new hope and encouragement when they've prayed. We tend to underestimate what God may do if we will just pray.

It is important to recognize that James wrote about, “... a righteous man.” Only a child of God can be referred to as “righteous.” The righteousness that we enjoy is actually imputed unto us by Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we are not righteous. The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one.” Yet through Jesus Christ, the enemies of God are made friends. Through the blood of Christ, filthy sinners are made clean saints. Although we were once far from God, we have been brought near to Him through our Lord Jesus. So when James wrote about, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man...” he is not referring to all mankind, just the followers of Jesus.

James wrote that, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” In other words, when a righteous man prays, something happens. In response to the prayer of the righteous, God acts. Hymn writer William Cowper once wrote, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees.”

What is it that makes prayer so powerful? When we learn that someone is very effective in prayer, we want to know the details of their prayer. We want to learn when they pray, how long they pray and the words they use. We want to know these things so we may emulate them and get answers ourselves.

Yet here is the vital truth. The power of prayer does not lie in the duration or words of the prayer. The power of a righteous man's prayer is found in the One he is praying to. Other men and women may pray and never get an answer because they are praying to an idol or false god. A born-again believer can receive answers to his prayer because he is praying with faith, directing his prayer to the only God … the One who finds pleasure in answering prayer.

Here is the key to powerful prayer. Hebrews 11:6 says, “... he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Notice some lessons to be learned in this verse.

OUR AIM IN PRAYER

The Bible says, “... he that cometh to God...” When we pray, we must pray to the God of the Bible. We can only approach God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We must pray to God alone. We must direct our prayers to God alone.

OUR APPROACH IN PRAYER

Secondly, we must pray with faith. “... he that cometh to God must believe that he is ...” Do you really expect answers when you pray? If not, you shouldn't be surprised when answers don't come. James put it this way, “... let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Yet our faith needs to extend beyond a belief that God exists. The Bible says, “... he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Notice that last part. We must believe, “... that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Do you believe that God rewards those who diligently seek Him? If so, do you believe that He will reward you as you diligently seek Him in prayer today? We must have faith that God does hear and will answer when we pray.

THE ANSWERS TO PRAYER

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Notice that the prayer of faith, coming from a righteous man, “... availeth much.” How much does it avail? How powerful can it be? In the following verses, James described how a righteousness man, Elijah, prayed that rain would cease in the land. And it did. Then he later prayed for rain … and it rained. Elijah did not control the water valve of heaven. Instead, he called on the One who had such control. In gracious response to the righteous man's prayer, God answered in a marvelous way. That is an Old Testament reminder that there is power in prayer.

Let us pray with such faith today!