How to Pray Effectively
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16 NKJV
The Bible says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months" (vv. 16-17 NKJV). There are two words in this portion of Scripture that you need to pay particular attention to: (1) "Fervent." This describes the intense heat you get from a blazing fire. The Amplified Bible puts it like this: "The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]." If you're not careful, you can fall into the trap of thinking you have to "work up" strong emotions before you pray or while you're praying, in order for your prayers to be heard and answered. Not so! Your feelings may move you, but only your faith will move God. The Bible says, "He that cometh to God must believe... that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Just because you felt God's presence in a special way yesterday when you prayed, and you don't today, doesn't mean your prayers aren't being heard and won't be answered. (2) "Righteous." Elijah was a righteous man, but he certainly wasn't a perfect man. Yes, his prayers were effective. But he was also given to bouts of fear and deep depression. Here's the key: Because you are clothed in Christ's righteousness you're always worthy and acceptable before God, therefore you can be confident your prayers will be heard and answered (See Romans 5:17). Knowing that, you can pray effectively.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
The Bible says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months" (vv. 16-17 NKJV). There are two words in this portion of Scripture that you need to pay particular attention to: (1) "Fervent." This describes the intense heat you get from a blazing fire. The Amplified Bible puts it like this: "The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]." If you're not careful, you can fall into the trap of thinking you have to "work up" strong emotions before you pray or while you're praying, in order for your prayers to be heard and answered. Not so! Your feelings may move you, but only your faith will move God. The Bible says, "He that cometh to God must believe... that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Just because you felt God's presence in a special way yesterday when you prayed, and you don't today, doesn't mean your prayers aren't being heard and won't be answered. (2) "Righteous." Elijah was a righteous man, but he certainly wasn't a perfect man. Yes, his prayers were effective. But he was also given to bouts of fear and deep depression. Here's the key: Because you are clothed in Christ's righteousness you're always worthy and acceptable before God, therefore you can be confident your prayers will be heard and answered (See Romans 5:17). Knowing that, you can pray effectively.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Recent
Archive
2025
January
"Forgiving each other ...as...God forgave you."EMBRACING UNCERTAINITY AND FOLLOWING GODBLESSING IS PROGRESSIVEIS GOD SHAKING YOU UP?PROBLEMS? DRAW CLOSER TO GODDON'T AVOID--ENGAGEYOU ARE COMMANDED TO LOVEJUST SOW THE SEEDSEE YOURSELF AS VALUABLE (1)SEE YOURSELF AS VALUABLE (2)PRAY ABOUT IT, THEN TAKE ACTIONTHE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S WORDTHE LINK BETWEEN DISOBEDIENCE AND STRESSHAVE YOU TALKED TO GOD ABOUT IT?KNOW YOUR PURPOSE, KNOW YOUR PARTNERSHOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANTPARENTING, THE BIBLE WAYHOW TO BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEMSIGNS FOLLOW FAITHWORSHIP: GIVING YOURSELF TO GODCHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, AND CHANGE YOUR LIFEFind Prayer PartnersHOW GOD SEES YOUBE GUIDED BY WISDOM, NOT IMPULSEHOW TO GIVEPAUSE AND REFLECTWHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (1)WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT MONEY (2)WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (3))WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (4)WHAT THE LORD TEACHES US ABOUT MONEY (5)SEEKING GOD
February
Practice Saying No To YourselfThe Best Is Yet To ComeThe Grandfather's Mistake Became The Grandson's MiracleHow To Conquer The Fear Of FailingLet's Respect Our DifferencesPass It On To OthersThrow It DownYou Are Called To Be Salt And LightExpect To "Wrestle"Use Your Gifts In Ministry To OthersKeep Trusting GodFear Is The Enemy Of GrowthChange Your RoutineYou Are Not Beyond God's ReachDon't Look At Christians, Look At ChristHave A God PerspectiveGod Uses Damaged PeopleUnderstanding The Word "Imputed"Governed By Christ's Love For UsToday Expect God's FavorGrowth Is About EnlargementKeep Praying And BelievingRefuse To Wear The LabelShake It Off, And Move ForwardWhen Others "Don't Get It"Righteousness Is A Gift, Not A Reward
March
Don't Break, Bounce Back (1)How Long Will You Live?Don't Break, Bounce Back (2)Put Away The Measuring StickKnow When To Let GoUse Your ImaginationConnect, Commit, CommunicateHow God Sees YouRearing Spiritual FruitConsult God On Your Daily To Do ListBorn To Believe (1)Born To Believe (2)Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your Soul"Forgive Them" And Delete ItPut God Between Yourself and the FoeBe True To The ScripturesThe Kids Are Watchcng You (1)The Kids Are Watching You (2)If You're A Leader, Read ThisPrayer and Your RASLearn To Say NoYou Can Learn To LoveAlways Agree With God’s WordGive God All The GloryDon’t Let A Wall Build Up Between YouTo Be Used By GodTell Them While You Still CanYou’re Almost ThereA Ministry Of Tears“Much More” Or “Much Less” (1)
Categories
no categories