The power of the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16, KJV)

Prayer activates and releases the power of the Holy Spirit. The reality of this truth will be driven home if you remember that we are both spiritual and physical beings. The power of the Spirit is already in of your spirit. However, no power in your spirit will change anything about your life here and now. You want power, not just in your spirit, but in your physical life. One of the key ways of bringing power from the spirit into the physical world where your troubles are found is through prayer.

The Amplified Bible translation is especially insightful in giving us the meaning of the scripture above:

“… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (James 5:16, AMP). The “righteous” here is the one who is in right standing with God. God does not hear the prayer of everyone but rather the prayer of the righteous. That righteous one is you and me in Christ Jesus today. If you dare to pray a heartfelt, continued prayer, tremendous power will be made available in this earthly realm where you need it. Power will be made available in the ministry, family, health, finances, demonic warfares, etc.

This is a privilege you have in Christ. Engage in effective servant prayer!

MEDITATE

What is “effectual fervent ” prayer according to the AMP translation above? Is this kind of prayer reserved for every Christian today or for special servants of God like Elijah? See Jam. 5:17.

APPLY THE WORD

Do you believe in prayer? I know this question might be surprising to some of you, but you might be slightly be shocked by what you really believe about prayer if you will carefully check your heart. If we really believe in prayer, it will be a priority in our lives. Believe the Word, and engage in effectual fervent prayer!