James 5:15-16 English Standard Version

15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[a]

Footnotes

1. James 5:16 Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power

Some of the best moments I have had over the years were when others would come to me for prayer. It was humbling and the results sometimes were effective and we cannot ask more of our prayers, that some good comes from it.

Yesterday as I prayed some verses in Colossians spoke to me that great examples can be found in the scriptures about the essence of effective prayer. As I thought about what God would have me say about that, it occurred to me that our expectations are closely tied to the needs of others and our purpose for prayer is often to help others.

This morning the starting point is seen in James 5:16 where great power to be found in effectual prayer.

Now we can turn our minds to the words of our savior who taught us how to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13 English Standard Version

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.[a]
10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11  Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Footnotes

1. Matthew 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence

While there are 4 footnotes in this prayer I have included only the first footnote. Let us remember who we are talking to and treat Him with the respect He is due. That is a good starting point for any prayer. 

Perhaps the second point could be helpful to remember.

Directed prayer calls out to Father God. There is no example to be found in scripture where effectual prayer is directed to anyone else but the Father. Try to remember that this can be a sticking point for some who have been taught otherwise. Let humility direct wisdom.

Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

After admitting to my frustrations yesterday I find myself lacking joy in patience.

What is blocking my joy?

I suspect it is hidden in the long wait for any glimpse of hope I have to a positive answer to my prayers. I have discovered a side of me that worries about things that are not within my control.

My past is fraught with actions that were completely out of control, rebellious, defiant, and absent of any concern for life.

Praise be to God for this life in Christ that has taken me out of the darkness and delivered me into His Light. He has changed my heart and bow it feels. It feels everything and finding my way in control is difficult at times because the power to exert change lies in the hands of the One I serve.

Pray yes, but finding joy in patience is difficult for some of us “in control”.

Reading in Colossians this morning I find myself wishing I have others praying for me as Paul is praying for them.

Colossians 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Perhaps, and I say this without any real confidence, that it is because I have not said that prayer for others. Those of us that see ourselves “in control” tend to overlook blessing others to gain the wisdom and understanding we think we have.

I again hear the words of a mentor at this moment. “Let go and let God.”

God is “in control”. Obedience of faith is not control, it is faith facing uncertainty.