THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER;
“…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]”(James 5:16 AMP).
There’re Christians who wonder why they should pray at all since they don’t get results when they pray. For such folks, the reason their prayers are ineffective is that they are ignorant of God’s Word. If you’re a Christian, you ought to know you have the right to pray and expect answers.
Prayer doesn’t have to be lengthy or complicated; God’s response isn’t dependent on your “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7), or the length of time you spent praying. 1 Corinthians 1:9 tells us, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” We were called into companionship and participation with Jesus Christ our Lord. This means you can talk to Him as a friend and He’ll surely listen to you. You see, prayer is first and foremost a fellowship with your heavenly Father. It’s not as difficult or mysterious as some have been made to believe.
You need to recognize that you’re in communion with God, the Creator of the universe. Your prayer becomes effective when you walk in the knowledge of your righteousness in Christ Jesus. This is the beauty of prayer. James 5:16 says, “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Put differently, the prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working (James 5:16 AMP). This Scripture doesn’t say that every man’s prayer is effective but specifies whose prayer gets results. It’s the prayer of the righteous man! That prayer makes tremendous power available.
The life of righteousness is not attainable merely through good deeds but by faith in Christ Jesus. Faith, the Bible says, comes by hearing God’s Word. What you need to make your prayers more effective is the knowledge of God’s Word. The Word of God will instruct you in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It’ll build in you the right consciousness—righteousness-consciousness.
Further Study:
1 John 5:14-15;
Mark 11:24