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Intention

If we are to pray effectively, we must understand what is expected of us and what to expect from prayer.

Scripture

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
– James 5:13-18 (NKJV)

Reflection

Prayer is a familiar theme in Scripture. In James 5:16b, James explains that the ‘effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.’

This passage is often used to support the importance of prayer. Certainly, its message does have that implication, but let’s not miss the full picture. Is just any old prayer effective? The passage doesn’t say that. Let’s highlight three keywords to find out what it is saying.

For a more comprehensive study, see my article “How to pray effectively: a study of James 5:16”.

Firstly, the effective, fervent prayer of a “righteous” man avails much. “Righteous” refers to a person who is acting and existing rightly. Some would argue that this speaks of all believers. If this were the case, the passage would just be stating that all believers’ prayers are effective. But the context shows that it is referring specifically to an obedient Christian who is walking with God. Certain people in the Church were living in sin and had been stricken with illness. Accordingly, only the prayers of a “righteous” person could help. If someone is not walking in fellowship with God, then their prayers will be ineffective.

Secondly, the “effective, fervent” prayer of a righteous man avails much. This word describes the kind of prayer offered by the obedient believer. It states that the righteous person’s prayers are characterised by effectiveness and fervour. It literally means ‘active’ and ‘operative’. We can imagine our prayers being like military operatives; we are sending them out to bring about amazing results for God.

Finally, the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man “avails much”. James tells us to expect our prayers to achieve great things. In Greek, the word literally means to exercise or exert combative or confrontational force. The righteous person’s prayers are not only effective, they are forcefully powerful.

James 5:16 tells us a lot about what to expect from prayer, and what is required from us. From what we have studied, we could restate the verse like this:

“When a Christian who is in obedient fellowship with God prays, his or her prayers will actively work in the world and will prevail with forceful power.”

Let’s examine ourselves and ensure that we are the kind of people who can pray with force, bringing about God’s designs here on earth (Luke 11:2). God wants to work through us for ‘His good pleasure’, to help us to stand ‘without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation’ (Philippians 2:13,15). As we pray for the Federal Election, have confidence that our prayers can generate change according to God’s will. As we stand up for righteousness, let us ‘shine as lights in the world’ (Philippians 2:15).

Video

Prayer

Our Father,

Please examine our hearts and expose any deceit or disobedience. We submit to Your will and ask You to shape our desires.

Thank You for the assurance that our prayers can be powerful and effective. Thank You that You intend to bring about Your plan on the earth and that no evil can thwart it. Thank You also that we can be a part of Your kingdom plan in Australia and the world by praying that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

May Your will be done in the coming Federal Election. May we see reformation, revival and transformation in Australia, starting in the hearts of believers and spreading to those with whom we interact.

In all things, we pray for Your glory. Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be glory).

Amen.

Author Bio

Cody is a young historian, a classical pianist and a keen writer. He was the 2019 winner of the James Dolan Memorial Prize in History and a 2021 Vice Chancellor’s Scholar at the University of New England. At age twelve, Cody started his own history website, History’s Page. Before studying history and politics at the UNE, Cody attained a Diploma of Musical Theatre. He graduated from the Lachlan Macquarie Institute’s Leadership and Civil Society Program in 2022.

21 Days Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would rule over this election, that righteous leaders would be elected to govern this nation in truth and justice because, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2
2. Pray God’s blessing upon all our current parliamentarians and leaders, including their families and all the candidates of all the parties standing for this federal election. 1 Timothy 2:1-3
3. Pray for a multiplication of prayer and unity across the Body of Christ in Australia, that people will wake up to the dangers facing our nation and respond in prayer. Ephesians 5:14
4. Pray for a Revival for Australia, Spiritual Awakening and Transformation for our nation, and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16

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