One of the many encouraging stories about prayer in the Bible is found near the end of the book of James. As he was wrapping up his letter, he encouraged his readers to pray (James 5:13). To illustrate his point, he turned to an account from the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah.
James reminded his audience that Elijah earnestly prayed for God to withhold rain for 3 1/2 years and not a single drop of rain fell on the land during that time (James 5:17). Then the prophet prayed for rain and God opened up the heavens big-time (James 5:18).
Two things encourage me as I consider James’ use of Elijah’s dramatic story. First, he started out by saying that Elijah “was as human as we are” (James 5:17). It’s only a few words, but it counters a lie that often tries to diminish our prayers as it worms its way into our minds: Sure, those kind of prayers may have worked for one of those Bible characters, but not for someone like me.
Our prayers do matter and can be just as effective as any follower of God—even someone whose prayers held back rain for 3-plus years!
The second thing that struck me about Elijah’s story is that our prayers play a role in what God is doing. He could have stopped the rain that triggered a severe famine and started it again without Elijah’s prayers, but He invited Elijah to be a part of the equation.
You may be tempted to think that your prayers are of little value. Don’t ever fall for that lie. Your prayers are powerful! Just ask Elijah.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 18:1-18
More:
Check out Ezra 8:23 to see what happens when we earnestly pray to God.
Next:
How has your prayer been affected by doubts? What you will do to begin praying more earnestly to God this week?
sheridan voysey on April 10, 2011 at 2:54 am
Great word, Jeff. Your two points are so true: God listens to *all* of us (spiritual heroes or not), and He invites us to be part of His work.
Astounding, really.
will77 on April 10, 2011 at 6:40 am
Thank You for this great reminder of prayer, and the importance of folowing James encouragement. Prayer is often hard especially when interceeding on behalf of others. It requires a unselfish act giving up your time and self to go before the throne of God…That reminds me of what Jesus did for us always
cuddles on April 10, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I find prayer difficult, I was brought up with the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer for family and friends and a thank you prayer. We were brought up to believe that God wanted you to make your own choices so we never thought about praying for anything specific.
followingHim on April 10, 2011 at 12:42 pm
James also tels us that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5.16).” This hindered my prayer life for quite a while, especially when I was indulging in a life-besetting sin. After all, (since I) “regarded iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not listen (Ps. 66.18.” I figured, why bother?
Two thoughts broke me from this paralysis in prayer. One was from A.A, where they say, “You may not (sincerely) want to get sober. But you can ask God to give you a genuine desire to want to stop drinking.” So I asked God to give me a real desire to be free of the domination of this sin, and I asked him to use whatever means–including chastisement–to do so, even though I was still very attached to it.
The second insight was from Paul, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption (I Cor.1.30, NKJV). I stopped trying to do BY me and BECAUSE of my efforts and worth. I realized that it is because of JESUS’ righteousness, not mine, that God’s will can, and would be, made manifest in my life.
It’s only been a few months, but the removal of this sin bondage has changed and blessed my life beyond words. To God be the glory–and victory!
Aganos on April 10, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Am encouraged by this great message. Its as good as saying ‘God has no dust bin to throw the prayers of the righteous’. Av been praying for my sister who has been bound in alcohol for more than 20 years now,and neglected her daughter when she was only 3yrs. She is now 18 yrs. Sometimes am tempted to give up,but i know i should not coz God hears and answers prayers. Pray with me that God will set her free in Jesus name!
followingHim on April 10, 2011 at 8:12 pm
My “life-besetting sin,” above, was not alcoholism, although I know about that–personally. I drank compulsively, but have been blessed with 34 years’ sobriety.
God can reform the alcoholic. I sobered up in Alcoholics Anonymous, which cleared my mind enough to realize that I needed something–someONE–more powerful and personal then a generalized “Higher Power.”
Even though A.A. is not Christian, encourage your sister, Aganos, to go to their meetings and “work the program.” Spirituality is not Christianity, but she can learn that there is a better way, and that her life can be wonderfully restored.
Emphasize that A.A. can save her life–but only Jesus Christ can save her soul!
And keep praying! (Luke 18.1-8)
little light on April 10, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Aganos, Dont ever give up, God will answer your prayer for your sister, it is God’s desire that sin should not rule over us (Romans 6:14) and even if it takes long, have faith and patience and we will inherit the promises(Heb 6 :12).
Cuddles, the life of Jesus is the perfect pattern that we ought to follow. Everything Jesus did was after praying to His Father, so His life was a life of rest and fulfillment. Adam when he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, brought in sin and death, that is this desire to do everything without God, a life of independence. But when you partake of the tree of life, you are always depending on God to know the difference between good and evil, this is a life of faith and for that moment by moment you will be praying and fully trusting that God is interested in every single detail of your life.
daisymarygoldr on April 10, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Aganos, your sister is in my prayers.
The key to effective prayer is to have a right relationship with God. A good analogy is that of a Father-child relationship. If I am mad at my father or did something against his wish, then it will certainly affect my communication with him. But when I confess my wrongs it will remove the guilt and shame that keeps me away from my father. Hence, repentance and forgiveness open up the lines of communication between us and God.
This is not to say that God will answer my prayers and give me everything I ask for, as long as I keep Him happy. When we enjoy an intimate relationship with God, He reveals His Heart to us. By reading His Word we get to know what pleases Him—His desires for us. In other words, we know God’s will and ask according to it.
Prayer is to ask what God would want us to have. “To be a part of the equation” means, we partner with Him to pray for what He has planned for us even before we were born. For ex. if a child knows that her father wants her to grow up and become a doctor, then she will ask him to help her get a private tutor to prep for a higher MCAT score or maybe ask him for financial support. The child will ask the father for things that will help her fulfill (note)—his plan for her.
It is the same with our Heavenly father. If we know God’s predetermined purposes for our lives, then we will not pray and ask for something to satisfy our selfish needs. Praying is not merely asking. It is releasing and binding. We boldly claim what God has already promised to give us. Elijah’s prayer for no rain was not just something he asked God because he was angry. Rather, he was simply declaring what God had already determined to do. Elijah knew God’s will and asked according to it. Therefore, he also received it.
Anyone—even a common lay person like me who has never darkened the doorsteps of a seminary, can pray. Prayer is as natural to our lips as a kiss or a cry. In our humanness, we cry out to God like a helpless baby. The power is not in our prayers but in the Holy Spirit helping us to know exactly what God wants us to pray for.
mprez2006 on April 12, 2011 at 6:29 am
encouraging, for sure!!