WONDERS OF PRAYER

“The effective, fervent PRAYER of a righteous man avails much” – James 5:16b

GOD’S WORD strongly portrays the WONDERS of PRAYER: “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” (Jam.5:16b-17). There is great, effective power in the fervent prayer of the righteous. Such prayer can accomplish much for and in the Kingdom of God. It’s vital to know that our righteousness is not predicated on anything we do or don’t do, but on our faith in Jesus Christ and that alone (Isa.61:10; 64:6; 2Cor.5:21). James presented Elijah as a prime example of what fervent prayer can do. Prayer is the pulse of the spiritual life. It is the great means of accessing heaven’s blessings and power. Prayer is partnership with God’s Power!

We can easily place Elijah on a pedestal of spiritual superiority. Yes, he controlled the weather for three and a half years; was supernaturally fed by ravens and a widow lady throughout the famine. He challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, proved Jehovah to be the True God, called fire down from heaven, and asked God to cause the rain to return, and it did. But shortly thereafter, Jezebel, enraged by what Elijah had done, threatened to take his life in revenge! Suddenly, his humanity – fear and frailty, manifested: “And he PRAYED that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1Kg.19:4).

Elijah was subject to the same passions we are. He had times of victory, but also times of doubt, despair, discouragement, and failure. After such a great victory he felt like giving up and dying. He was human like we are. If he had such power with God in prayer, so can we. We can touch heaven and see great things accomplished for God’s Glory. What is demanded is fervent prayer – forceful, passionate, persistent, heartfelt, and whole-hearted; praying like we really mean it (Jer.29:12-13). 1 John 5:14-15 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Prayer attracts Revival: Prayer preceded the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:14).

Prayer brings Shakings from on High: “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Prayer activates angelic intervention for supernatural liberation. When the church gathers in fervent prayer captives are set free. In response to prayer, an angel visited Peter in prison, struck him in his side, broke his chains, and led him out of the prison into freedom. He proceeded to the house of Mary, Mark’s mother, “where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12).

Prayer releases Healings – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – into the lives of God’s people (vv.16-18). God is longing for those who will cease playing church and begin to lay hold of the horns of the altar in fervent prayers as in the days of old.

Prayer will usher in the Latter Rain: “Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone” (Zech.10:1).

The Wonder of Prayer is like the Wonder of Giving Birth. Prayer is the crucible of births and destiny deliveries (Isa.66:7-9).

Our Lord Jesus gave this staggering Prayer Promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” (Lk.7:7). Prayer doesn't need proof; it needs practice! The tragedy of the modern church isn't unanswered prayer; it's unoffered prayer! Here, the Lord handed us a blank check saying, “You just fill in the amount?” And, He issued three commands: Ask – Seek – Knock!