The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16b.
God's children of all ages have prayed. Only as we become older and get caught up in the things of the world that our prayers become careless and indifferent about our soul salvation. In sinful distraction our prayers become mere forms and if we are not careful, we will cease to pray altogether. Yet, in faith we understand that prayer accomplishes much. Following Christ we learn that as God answers our prayers, He give us strength to face the trials of life and to withstand the temptations of Satan. If only we would come to Him as a child comes to their loving father.
In prayer, God calls upon us to be fervent in speaking to Him. What is a fervent prayer? A fervent prayer is a heartfelt prayer. It rises from the depths of our innermost soul and is stripped of all pretenses. Such prayer is made thoughtfully. We do not hasten to the throne of God and make our requests at random. We consider first what we are going to say. As we call upon God we remember to whom we pray. God is the creator of the heaven and earth. Yet, at the same time he is our heavenly father who loves each of us. Understanding this we do not let our words fall from our lips thoughtlessly. In prayer we are calling upon the King of kings. Therefore, we should give much thought to the things that we want to take up to Him.
If we pray thoughtfully, then we should have something specific in mind. We know of men and women who are sick. We have friends who are indifferent to the gospel call. We know that our church has missionaries in foreign fields that we pray for by name. We shall pray more fervently. Such definite prayers make us confident as we can check up on our prayers and know whether they have been heard. Finding that they are answered gives us greater confidence in the future knowing that God does answer prayer.
Fervent prayer is made by the righteous. That which makes us righteous before God is the removal of our sin, but sin can be removed only through the blood of Jesus Christ. The righteous in the sight of God have been cleansed and washed from all their sins and are reconciled to God through our Lord and Savior. The believer makes this approach through Christ, for God is his Father only in Christ Jesus. Now such as pray in Jesus’ name fervently accomplishes much to the glory of God and the welfare of the immortal souls
Go ahead by friends, pray. God is listening. He is waiting for you to call on Him. Likewise, He is waiting to lovingly provide you with all that you need for this world and for the world to come.
We pray.
In the name of Jesus Christ who has purchased us with His holy precious blood, I come to you Heavenly Father, asking you to hear my prayer. I need you every hour to protect and to shield me against sin which constantly assaults my soul. I need you to protect me against the forces of unbelief which seek to rob me of my faith. I need you in these days of sickness and affliction. I come to you because you have so often upheld me when every other help has failed. Therefore, I put my trust in you. I ask all this for the sake of Him who has promised to be with us always, even unto the end of the age, Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.