Today’s Reading: James 5:13-19 / 1 Kings 18:41-45
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. James 5:16 KJV
As believers, we know that God often chooses to move through our prayers.
It helps us to aid Him in accomplishing the plans He has for our lives.
To be there for one another in a time of need.
This can be seen when we read about what God had spoken to the Prophet Elijah.
Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are.
He desired to be there for the people.
He prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth in the space of three years and six months (James 5:17 KJV).
When this time was over, “he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:18 KJV).
But his seeking the Lord in prayer did not stop there.
He knew that prayer could change all things.
We see in First Kings, eighteen, that the Lord had again promised to send rain.
“And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth” 1 Kings 18:1 KJV).
But even though God had promised rain, a little while later “Elijah went up to the top of Carmel.”
“He cast himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees” (1 Kings 18:42 KJV).
While continuing in prayer, he sent his servant to go and look out over the ocean “seven time,” looking over the horizon for any signs of rain (1 Kings 18:43).
Elijah recognized that God wants us to join in His work through our humble and nonstop prayers.
Despite our human limitations, God can choose to move through our praying in amazing ways.
Prayer has great power and produces wonderful results.
These passages remind us that “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17 KJV),
That we should make it our goal to serve God through praying faithfully.
Knowing that, we are taking part in a wonderful fight.
To always remember that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV).
One that gives us a front-row seat to the many miracles and blessings He has for our lives.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, confessing our faults to one another is a good thing. We are to encourage one another when we know we need the support to stay on the right path. You have told us that the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power. That it produces wonderful results. Making it where we serve You in a wonderful way. Thank You for showing us that our prayers have great meaning. May we never forget that there is power in our prayers.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen