“… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16
These words, effectual and fervent, literally mean “stretched out.” The idea is of a horse jumping over a barricade, stretched out as he leaps. Or it’s like an athlete who’s running for the gold, and he bursts for the tape and stretches himself out for the goal. James says that’s the way we are to pray. Our prayers are to be on fire! They’re to be stretched out, and I don’t mean stretched out on your bed half asleep. We are to be striving for the goal. We’re to be eager, earnest, fervent, and impassioned in our prayers. God forgive our cold, lukewarm, milk toast, take-it-or-leave-it type of prayers.
When we give without sacrifice, pray without fasting, witness without tears, is it any wonder we sow without results?
How God has convicted my heart as I’ve studied the book of James! I’ve had to bow my head, confess my sin and say, “God, forgive my cold, lukewarm, indifferent prayers. May I learn how to pray effectually, fervently, as James taught us to pray.” What does James mean when he talks about the conditions that we should meet? He’s talking about the intensity of the asking.That’s the kind of prayer that brings results.
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Greg is a strong believer in Jesus Christ and in the need for revival in today’s Church. He likes reading, writing, music, and spending time with his family and his dog Roxie. By day he is a self-employed non-emergency medical transport driver, and is the Editor-in-Chief for the National War Council, as well as being a political analyst, author, blogger, and an accomplished DIYer. His articles are first published on Inspirational Christian Blogs, and I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!, and from there the articles are published on other well-known conservative websites.
The author feels convinced that the Church is in extreme danger of being forsaken by God for being unbiblical and seeks to warn all those with “ears to hear.” He believes we are in the last days of the end times, and that God is building His Remnant Church even now.
Greg is the author of: Spiritual Darkness is Destroying America and the Church
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Categories: INSPIRATIONAL DEVOTIONS
The Price and the Power of Forgiveness 
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me
Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."