Scripture is filled with promises that relate to the prayers of God’s people. James 5:16 tells us that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
One of the means that God uses in bringing about His purposes upon the earth is the prayers of the saints. Continuing on in James, we read: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:17,18) All of this which took place was within the design of God for that time, but in order that we might be encouraged to pray, it was written for us as well (Romans 15:4).
Because of the imputed righteousness that we have by grace through faith in the atoning sacrifice of The Lord Jesus Christ, we have access to The Father (Ephesians 2:18). Jesus taught us to pray fervently and persistently (Luke 11:2-13, 18:1-8a). Obviously, God does not depend upon our prayers to bring His will to pass upon the earth, but He clearly teaches us in Scripture that prayer, divine providence, and the will of God work hand in hand (Acts 4:23- 31). Precious child of God, it is our Father who tells us to humble ourselves before Him and cast all of our care upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6,7). Oh that we might learn how to dwell “in the secret place of the Most High” and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
Life is fragile and unpredictable. How are we to handle the daily pressures and challenges and spiritual warfare? Pray! Prayer is the privilege we have that enables us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Did you notice, brothers and sisters, that when we are praying, we go to a throne of grace to find the grace of God that we need? Prayer takes us to that ultimate source of authority and power, and makes available to us that most necessary resource of divine grace. We are living in perilous times, and we need to be diligent in prayer with one another and for one another.
May The Spirit of God touch our hearts and cause us to come before Him as a family, humbly and reverently, and expecting Him to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), for His glory!
