“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)
Prayer is a MIGHTY FORCE. The Christian’s most POWERFUL resource is communion with God though prayer. Note: The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much . Biblical examples of Prayers that prevail:
I – ABRAHAM PRAYED WITH COMMITMENT – “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.”(Genesis 22:11).
“The angel of the Lord called..Abraham, Abraham; and he said, HERE AM I.” Abraham’s faith had been severely tested. When he prayed with commitment to the will of God, God intervened.
“And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” (Genesis 22:12). “Now I know that thou fearest God.”
LESSON:
1. The purpose of testing is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to God. Through this difficult experience, Abraham learned this commitment to obey God. He also learned about God’s ability to provide.
2. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-5). “Delight” – To delight in God means to experience great pleasure and joy in His presence. This happen only when we know God well. To “commit” means entrusting everything – our lives, families, jobs, possessions – to His control and guidance. “Prayer” gives you courage to make the decisions you must make in crisis and then the confidence to leave the result to a higher power.
II – JACOB PRAYED WITHOUT CONSTRAINT - “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:26-28). Jacob prayed with persistence and God answered him. Jacob – the man who persistently CLINGS to GOD.
LESSONS:
1. God encourages persistence in all areas of our lives, including the spiritual. Strong character results from struggling under tough conditions.
2. Persistence in prayer overcomes our insensitiveness, not God’s. It does more to change our hearts and minds than God’s.
3. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers don’t come immediately, for the delay may be God’s way of working His will in your life. When you feel weary in your prayers, know that God is present, always listening, always acting – maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways He knows are best.
III – MOSES PRAYED WITH CONCERN - “ Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”(Exodus 32:32). Moses intervened by putting his life for them.
LESSONS:
1. The intervening prayer of concern for unconverted friends and loved ones ,God will hear and answer.
2. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23). This is intercessory prayer on the behalf of others. Such prayer is unselfish in its motive. Too often we pray for our own needs and desires, when we should be interceding for others.
3.”Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2).
We have to ask God for more workers. In Christian service, there is no unemployment. God has work enough for everyone. Don’t just sit back and watch the others work – look for ways to get in on the harvest.
4.”I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Church’s prayer aids competent government in maintaining law and order.
5.”Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” (Hebrews 13:18-19).
Pastors and workers are vulnerable to criticism from others. Pride if they succeed. Depression if they fail. They desperately need our prayers!
Illustration:
After his return from church one Sunday a small boy said: “You know what mommy? “I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.” “That’s fine,” said his mother. “But what made you decide you want to be a preacher?” “Well”, said the boy pensively, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway and I think it would be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit and listen”.
(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday worship Messages)
I – ABRAHAM PRAYED WITH COMMITMENT – “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.”(Genesis 22:11).
“The angel of the Lord called..Abraham, Abraham; and he said, HERE AM I.” Abraham’s faith had been severely tested. When he prayed with commitment to the will of God, God intervened.
“And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” (Genesis 22:12). “Now I know that thou fearest God.”
LESSON:
1. The purpose of testing is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to God. Through this difficult experience, Abraham learned this commitment to obey God. He also learned about God’s ability to provide.
2. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-5). “Delight” – To delight in God means to experience great pleasure and joy in His presence. This happen only when we know God well. To “commit” means entrusting everything – our lives, families, jobs, possessions – to His control and guidance. “Prayer” gives you courage to make the decisions you must make in crisis and then the confidence to leave the result to a higher power.
II – JACOB PRAYED WITHOUT CONSTRAINT - “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:26-28). Jacob prayed with persistence and God answered him. Jacob – the man who persistently CLINGS to GOD.
LESSONS:
1. God encourages persistence in all areas of our lives, including the spiritual. Strong character results from struggling under tough conditions.
2. Persistence in prayer overcomes our insensitiveness, not God’s. It does more to change our hearts and minds than God’s.
3. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers don’t come immediately, for the delay may be God’s way of working His will in your life. When you feel weary in your prayers, know that God is present, always listening, always acting – maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways He knows are best.
III – MOSES PRAYED WITH CONCERN - “ Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”(Exodus 32:32). Moses intervened by putting his life for them.
LESSONS:
1. The intervening prayer of concern for unconverted friends and loved ones ,God will hear and answer.
2. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23). This is intercessory prayer on the behalf of others. Such prayer is unselfish in its motive. Too often we pray for our own needs and desires, when we should be interceding for others.
3.”Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2).
We have to ask God for more workers. In Christian service, there is no unemployment. God has work enough for everyone. Don’t just sit back and watch the others work – look for ways to get in on the harvest.
4.”I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Church’s prayer aids competent government in maintaining law and order.
5.”Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” (Hebrews 13:18-19).
Pastors and workers are vulnerable to criticism from others. Pride if they succeed. Depression if they fail. They desperately need our prayers!
Illustration:
After his return from church one Sunday a small boy said: “You know what mommy? “I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.” “That’s fine,” said his mother. “But what made you decide you want to be a preacher?” “Well”, said the boy pensively, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway and I think it would be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit and listen”.
(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday worship Messages)
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