Reflections on the Importance of Prayer
The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It is not the only
thing; but it is the chief thing. The great people of the earth today are the
people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say
they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean
those people who take time to pray. S.D. GORDON
Prayer does not prepare us for great works, it is the great
work.
Oswald Chambers
Prayer is not so much a method, but it is a vital
relationship with God expressed in right living before Him.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man avails much
James 5:16b
The force and effectiveness of prayer lies not so
much in the practice of it, but in the life of the man or woman behind it.
Let us examine this Scripture by looking closely at the meaning of
some words.
*Effectual. In comes from the Greek ENERGEO: to be
active, to have effect. The American Dictionary defines it as having adequate
power (the power of the Holy Spirit) to produce the intended effect. The word
“energy’ means “life”. God by His Almighty energy called the universe into
existence. Therefore, prayer that is effectual calls things that do not exist
into existence.
*Fervent. The word fervency comes from the Greek
ZELOS. Zelos is ardor of the heart (zeo=to be hot). God wants us either cold
or hot. He cannot stand lukewarmness.
*Righteousness. The Greek word for righteousness is
DIKAIOS, innocent, holy, just, right. The American Dictionary says that a
righteous person is one who observes the divine commands in practice. So then
prayer is not an occasional exercise, but a way of life.
*Avail. This word comes from the Greek ISCHUO which
means “to exercise force or might” and it is defined: “to have sufficient force
to accomplish the object.
In conclusion, prayer that will have adequate power or energy to bring about
the intended effect must be heartfelt, earnest, offered in righteousness by men
and women of integrity who live uprightly before God.
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