It is the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man that produces results. The Amplified Bible puts it this way: “the earnest [heartfelt, continued] prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working.” This means effectual, fervent prayer is earnest, heartfelt and continued prayer. Another synonym I found when studying this kind of prayer was ‘serious.’ I like that.
This is serious prayer. There are not too many Christians who pray serious prayers. Serious prayer is not you squeezing your face, clenching your fists and screaming at the top of your lungs. No! I’m talking about when a prayer is coming from your innermost being.
James gives Elijah as an example of a righteous man who prayed and got results. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. In other words, he faced challenges and was subject to pressures and temptations just like we are today, but the Bible says he “….prayed earnestly that it might not rain…” There was no rain on the earth for three and a half years just because one man, Elijah, prayed earnestly!
This is not just a nice story; there’s a lesson in it for us to learn. We’re not just told that Elijah prayed and got results, but we’re told how he prayed so we can study it and learn from it. Then we can go and do the same and expect to have the same results, because God is no respecter of persons.
Is there anything you want changed in your life, family, business, church, city or nation? You can change it! Aren’t you glad about that? Anything is possible; you can change any situation! That’s the Word of God and you better believe it! Start praying earnest, serious, heartfelt prayers with deep convictions. Don’t stop too soon. Continue until you have stirred up tremendous power – power that is dynamic in its working and can produce the change you desire. Continue until you get that note of victory in your spirit! When you do, you’ll know you’ve got it and nothing can take it from you.
