May 8, 2020
As we close out this first week of May, I am thankful for the time we’ve had this week to focus on “PRAYER”. Prayer is certainly a precious gift from God Almighty. It is such a privilege that we have to approach a Holy and Omnipotent (all powerful) God and make our requests to Him.
We are reminded in scripture that there is nothing too hard for our God.
(Jeremiah 32:17) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, andthere is nothing too hard for thee:
Also, according to the Bible, when we pray we have the assurance that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
(Ephesians 3:20-21) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
With this in mind, we know that it is not a waste of our time to pray. This is why the Bible says to (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray without ceasing.
One of the greatest scriptures on the power of prayer is found in James chapter 5.
(James 5:16) 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.
Here we see the Bible instructs us to “pray one for another”. There will be times when it is difficult to pray for yourself. It is in times like these that it is good to have Christian brothers and sisters who will help you carry your burdens and pray for you. Then there will be times when you will need to help someone else and pray for them. So, we need to pray one for another.
Probably the most used phrase out of James 5:16 is, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. For those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation, the righteousness of Christ has been imputed (put to their account) to them. Therefore, when the righteousness of Christ is put to our account at salvation, then we are made righteous (right) in the eyes of God. So, now when God looks at us, he doesn’t see the old man in all of his sin and unrighteousness, but He sees the righteousness we have received in Christ Jesus. Through the righteousness we have received in Christ we can have the faith to believe that our prayers will “avail” or “accomplish” much.
Now, we can enter boldly into the throne room of grace.
(Hebrews 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Now to tie this all together, meditate on this for a few minutes today. What a blessing it is just to know that you and I who have received the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation have “His righteousness” imputed to us so that now we can come boldly unto the throne of grace with the faith to believe that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think and that our fervent (sincere) prayer will avail (accomplish) much. So, let me encourage you today dear Saint of God, continue to “Pray without ceasing”.
Continuing in prayer,
Bro. Rick
