Effectual Fervent 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 availed much.” James 5:16
This passage has been used frequently to emphasize the importance of prayer and its benefits. Surely, the Christian believes the inspiration with which James writes! But let’s not forget the context of this truth. Verses 13 through 16 speak of “sickness” and the need for the elders to come and pray while anointing the sick with oil, noting that the prayer of faith shall save the sick, as well as permit the forgiveness of his sins. Notice one more aspect of these verses: CONFESS YOUR SINS.
Admitting sins is not easy. Men like Achan, King Saul, King David, and Job all admitted their sins by saying, “I have sinned.” Two passages within the New Testament command us to confess our sins: James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9. Therefore, admitting and identifying (the truest definition of “confess”) our sins precedes the prayer. Notice the example of Acts 8:18 – 24 when Peter instructed Simon the magician to repent of his sins and pray God that the thought of his heart might be forgiven.
The word “effectual” is important as well. According to the noted scholar Strong, the meaning of “effectual” is “to be active, efficient.” Thus, the words of Paul come to mind when he said, “Pray without ceasing.” Love also is incorporated into this active, efficient prayer. First, when one truly loves his brethren, weeping when they weep or rejoicing when they rejoice (Romans 12:15) comes naturally. He experiences like emotions and shares them as though they are his own (James 5:17). Thus, when he prays, he recognizes his own quilt first, and shares as well in the spiritual pain the sins of his brethren cause their Father. He therefore is “active and efficient” in expressing sorrow for these sins, begging God for the “healing” of their souls.
Also, the fervency of prayer is vital. Strong defines “fervent” as “be mighty in.” Therefore, prayer is not a casual expression of our thoughts or a passive expression of thanksgiving. Instead, prayer is to be mighty in its expression, as if one is coming boldly before God’s throne of grace (see Hebrews 4:16) to find the help he needs for the healing of his soul, even the forgiveness of his sins!
Also, notice the character of the one praying. James says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Just who is a righteous man? When one considers Romans 3: 9 – 18, we learn how sinful all of us are: quite the opposite of righteous. Thankfully, John explains how we become righteous. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.” (1 John 3:7) Paul tells us how to obtain this righteousness: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1: 16 – 17) Obedience is the key to righteousness, and the obedience is to God and not our fleshly inclinations of right or wrong.
Prayer should always come from hearts, and never with the desire to impress the ears of mankind. When praying, we are speaking to God the Father through the authority of Jesus Christ His Son. He knows our thoughts before we ask Him (Matthew 6:5-8). Still, He desires to hear from us frequently. We must not use vain repetition, but instead be open and honest in our speaking to God. After all, He knows our thoughts before we ask Him, thus hiding them with “routine expressions” isn’t being honest, let alone being effectual and fervent!
Let’s not be casual in our praying, but ever genuine in what we beg of Him. Let’s prove our love as we pray!