HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
As a man of prayer coming to the end of our fasting and prayer, I want to remind you that it is not the end of communication with your God. Let me share with you something I take away from this time of solitude with God. What wings are to a bird and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul. As we conclude our time of fasting and prayers with the powerful devotions from the Bible, one of the unifying themes we have seen is that each praying person exhibited a deep love for the Lord. As believers, we know there is great power in prayer, and a life steeped in prayer can be greatly used by God.
The half-brother of Jesus, Apostle James, knew this too. James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. In his letter to his flock scattered among the nations, he emphasized the importance of prayer in the Christian’s life. In our text today he begins by saying that if anyone is in trouble, happy, or sick, prayer and praise is always the answer
(verses 13–15 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? 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: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him).
He also admonished them to confess their sins to one another and pray for healing. He summarizes his thoughts by saying, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”
(verse 16 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).
In this letter, James reminds us that a life steeped in prayer spills over into action. While we are found righteous only because of Jesus, our personal walk ought to reflect Christ’s teachings. When we center our lives on Jesus and live in a way that is worthy of our calling, our prayers become even more powerful and effective.
James concludes by pointing to Elijah as a biblical example of a man who lived a godly life and prayed earnestly and effectively
(verses 17–18 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit).
The prayers and the lives of faithful men and women are powerful and can accomplish much!
May the lessons we’ve learned throughout this time of fasting and prayer challenge us to become people of prayer. Remember that the life you live is just as important as the prayers you pray.
Let us pray
When we encounter problems, some of us complain, some rage, and some deny. Lord, help us cultivate an attitude of prayer in all circumstances and praise you as the giver of peace, wisdom, and righteousness. Just keep us on praying ground until You return.
