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
- 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
- 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.