Effective Prayer

James 5:16 (MSG) The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.
Living right with God is so important because then our prayers are heard and not only that our prayers are powerful.
The very next verse talks about Elijah who prayed that the rain would not fall and it didn't for 31/2 years. The keys we need to take are:
  • He was right before God
  • He prayed fervently

James encourages us to be right before God but also to pray fervently. Fervent prayer does not give up, it also recognises when it has been answered.

We see in 1 Kings 18 how Elijah conducted himself and how he prayed. He did not pray once and then the rain fell. He prayed and checked for an answer, prayed then checked, prayed then checked, he did it seven times.

Because of his walk with God Elijah did great exploits and yet was human at the same time.

I like Elijah, his humanity makes room for me and his dedication encourages me to press in, his boldness calls to me.

My God collects believable, ordinary people and I am one. Amen!

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