Prayer is something I mull over frequently. I have thought, ‘if God knows everything, why does it matter if I pray?’ How do my prayers affect the God that is Mighty, and able to save? Am I being arrogant when I pray, and expect that because I do, my prayer can change the Hand of God?
Our small church had a circumstance that was startling, a mom of young children with what could have been very serious medical event that could – and may still possibly – change the course of her life and theirs. And the word goes out, please pray!
We did….and many prayers for intervention, healing. For quick results and no lasting repercussions. I prayed, but wasn’t quite sure how? Does God want us to pray for only quick replies, good results? I know God already knows the end of this from what we see as the beginning. In years past, I’ve seen these same kinds prayers answered, and sometimes they have not.
We know the verse, ‘the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Js 5:16). But what does that mean, for us today? There are thousands of books on prayers, and probably thousands more blog posts too…. and I’m sharing a few of my thoughts this morning, but please, dig deeper…read more…study it out. I know I don’t have all the answers, but hope maybe it gets you mulling on the potential of praying and even the effects of our ‘small’ efforts to pray for another.
So going back to James – The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1. Righteous – just, holy in heart – actually, one who has a relationship with God. Romans 3 is clear, our righteousness is as filthy rags. (3:10), and God gives us His gift of righteousness through His Son (3:23)
2. Effectual –Producing an effect desired or intended, veracious.
3. Fervent – Ardent, very warm, earnest, excited, animated.
As a child of God the command of the verse is to pray. I think the word effectual is giving the intent that I am believing as I am praying, and with fervency, intention, force. There are more principles as we pray for God’s will and not ours (not my will, but Thine be done), for not praying to just meet our own desires (consuming upon our own lusts), and to have a mindset of praying throughout our day (without ceasing)…and many more.
Prayer is not a wishful hoping, a commanding of God to do my will, but I think I am learning that prayer is talking with my Heavenly Father and communicating to Him my distress, my request, my desire. But it has to happen. I have to deliberately choose to pray. To enter into an intense conversation with God where I am present, with a desire to be heard.
I know how much I am hurt when I’m trying to listen to someone and they are distracted, halfheartedly trying to engage. I wonder how many times my Father feels the same when I pray…
- To pray rightly, you must make God your hope, stay, and all. Right prayer sees nothing substantial or worth being concerned about except God. – John Bunyan
Click here to print the Prayer is Laying Hold of Gods Willingness printable. Print on card stock or watercolor paper. I like 5×7 size or 8×10. the JPEG file is high resolution to print either size, even larger.
Hope you feel encouraged today, to pray! Do it. Earnestly. With intention. And leave the answering up to Him. He is God, and I am not.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
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