Intercessory Prayer

“Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:16-20 AV)

Pride has so griped the world that it is difficult for believer’s living in this world really to embrace this truth. To confess a fault is seen as a weakness which likely will be used against you sometime in the future. This thinking is contrary to the love of Christ.

God wants us to be transparent with each other. Confession requires humility from the confessor and compassion from the hearer. It is true that confession will sometimes bring disapproval from those around you. However, we are not to be seeking human affirmation. Instead we are to learn to pray earnestly for one another in love trusting in our Heavenly Father.

Look what great encouragement there is. Elias [Elijah] is given as proof of the merits of prayer. He was subject to the same failings as we yet he proved that one might accomplish great things through faithful prayer. The stakes are incredibly high as even souls might be saved from death and sins covered.

There are three important things to note about prayer. It must be effectual, fervent, and come from a righteous man.

Effectual prayer is prayer that is commensurate to the need. It is heartfelt energetic not lifeless and indifferent. It is attended to with heartfelt compassion which makes the next facet easy to accomplish.

Prayer that accomplishes much is not only effectual but fervent also. The word translated fervent literally means to put out work. Young’s Literal Translation says it this way, “very strong is a working supplication of a righteous man.”

The last thing to note is about the one praying. He must be a righteous man. He must be a man of confession and repentance to be a part of this ministry. All too often we fail in prayer because God will not listen to us for our un-confessed sin.

What great things happen when He does! I am not sure there is anything more exciting in the Christian life than to hear God say yes. Amen? To bath in a continually flowing stream of answered prayer is as refreshing to the soul as cool water is to the skin. Great confidence is experienced by the one who communes with the Father. It all begins with confession and repentance. My dear friends throw off the shackles of pride and wade out into the stream of abundant life.