Prayer avails not because it is spoken, but because it is sincere, fervent, and righteous.
“…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
— James 5:16
Not every Christian will be called to preach. Not every Christian is physically able to canvass their neighborhood or stand behind a pulpit. Not every Christian can sing, play an instrument, or take part in the music of the local church. But every Christian can pray. And God never intended prayer to be weak, casual, or powerless.
We should strive for more than a prayer-life — we should hunger for a prevailing prayer-life.
As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Take no rest from prayer and give prayer no rest.”
THE PREREQUISITE OF AN AVAILING PRAYER-LIFE
v.16 — “Confess your faults one to another…”
Before prayer ever becomes powerful, it must be pure. Confession precedes communion. An availing prayer-life begins with the confessing and removing of sin, shortcomings, and unresolved matters with others.
Unconfessed sin dulls prayer. Broken relationships hinder prayer. If prayer is going to avail much, the heart must be clean before God and right with men.
THE PASSION OF AN AVAILING PRAYER-LIFE
v.16 — “The effectual fervent prayer…”
An availing prayer-life is far more than a cold or casual approach to the throne of grace. Prayer that prevails is effectual and fervent. It is passionate. It is intentional. It is earnest.
Heaven is not moved by calloused repetition or half-hearted words. God responds to prayers that come from a heart burdened with holy desire and sincere dependence.
THE PERSON OF AN AVAILING PRAYER-LIFE
v.16 — “…of a righteous man availeth much.”
The Scripture is clear — it is the righteous man whose prayer avails much. Not perfect, but forgiven. Not sinless, but separated. A life that avoids sin and walks in obedience gives power to prayer.
God is not impressed with volume or vocabulary — He is moved by righteousness.
Evangelist D. L. Moody once told of a man whose mother was a woman of prevailing prayer. When the man left to fight in the Mexican War, his mother gave him her Bible and a watch and told him, “Every day at twelve o’clock, your mother will be praying for you.”
Months later, while marching across the plains of Mexico, the man checked his watch — it was noon. Remembering his mother’s prayers, he stepped aside, knelt behind a tree, and cried out to the God of his mother to save him. God answered. He was converted that day and later devoted his life to serving Christ.
A righteous prayer, prayed faithfully, availed much.
