POWER OF PRAYER
… The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
James 5:16b-18 (NLT)
Do you ever think about meeting some of the heroes of our faith one day? When we’re all with Jesus in eternity, it’s fascinating to imagine what it will be like to meet Moses, David or Paul. I think we tend to place these heroes of the faith upon pedestals as if there was something supernatural about them specifically. The only supernatural thing about them was the power of God working in and through them. That same power is available to us!
James gives Elijah as his specific example. He was an ordinary human being, the same as you and me. And yet, when he prayed earnestly, God answered his prayers. Not because Elijah was special or different than any other human being but because he was wholly surrendered to God.
Now, you may look at the passage above and disqualify yourself because you don’t feel very righteous. But we are not made righteous by our own efforts. Thank God! Jesus Christ, the perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb of God, imparts His righteousness onto us. When we are fully surrendered and submitted to His will, we stand in the eyes of the Father, righteous and redeemed. That means we can boldly ask God to move in miraculous ways! Yet I’m reminded of what James said just one chapter previously: You have not because you ask not (James 4:2).
How might God move if we only asked Him? Don’t rely on the pastors, elders, missionaries and other professional Christians to pray boldly—do so yourself! Consider the words of Peter in 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT): But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
APPLICATION:
Don’t let doubt or shame prevent you from praying boldly! A few days ago (Day 3), we discussed God being able to do more than we could possibly imagine. Revisit some of your prayers from that day and add to them. Ask God to give you more faith to pray boldly. Then do it!
PRAYER:
God, be glorified in my life. Please help me not to shrink back in shame or live in fear of failure. Help me to unashamedly pursue Your miraculous and divine power in my life. Move in power, God—that You might receive glory and that many would be drawn to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?