The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
We are almost at the end of James’ letter to the “twelve tribes.” Throughout his letter, James talks about what it means to be a righteous person.
A righteous person considers trials to be a joy. He knows that testing leads to perseverance, and perseverance leads to maturity. A righteous person is mature in faith. They are complete.
A righteous person has the wisdom the comes from God because they have asked and not doubted. They are of a single mind, one that is devoted to the Lord.
The righteous person considers material wealth worthless. They glory in their humility before God.
They are slow to speak and slow to anger. They listen attentively to God’s Word and His Spirit. They are blessed because when they hear God speak, they act accordingly.
The righteous person looks after orphans and widows.
They do not favor the rich or fear them. They desire mercy, and they are merciful.
The righteous person understands that what we do is the expression of our faith.
The righteous person keeps their whole body in check. Most of all, they keep a tight rein on their tongue.
They live a good life humbly doing God’s work. They love peace, are considerate, submissive, full of mercy, impartial, sincere, and bear good fruit. They know that God opposes the proud and favors the humble. They strive to avoid pride, and they practice humility.
As warriors in the battle for God’s kingdom on earth, they know that Satan flees when they resist him.
With washed hands and a pure heart, they seek God even as God seeks them.
The righteous person keeps God’s law; that is, they love God above all else and their neighbor as themselves. They do not boast in what they will do. Instead, they boast in what God has done.
They are patient. They know that we live in a broken world. It is a world that is unjust and unfair. They do not expect the world to change until the Lord returns. Until then, they suffer patiently.
The righteous person is not perfect and knows it. They confess their sin and know in their heart that God has forgiven them. They are peacemakers. They love peace.
Is it any wonder that God listens to them? Is it a surprise that God honors their prayers?
Application: Strive to please God, for that is the essence of righteousness.
Food for Thought: Why do we say prayer is powerful, when in fact it is God’s power that we are talking about?
Here are some quotes from some great saints:
Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~ John Bunyan
The fewer the words the better prayer. ~ Martin Luther
Prayer is an effort of will. ~ Oswald Chambers
Our prayer and God’s mercy are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends. ~ Arthur Hopkins
If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon
It is because of the hasty and superficial conversation with God that the sense of sin is so weak and that no motives have power to help you to hate and flee from sin as you should. ~ A.W. Tozer
Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. Gods voice in response to mine is its most essential part. ~ Andrew Murray
Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees. ~ Corrie Ten Boom
Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ~ Samuel Chadwick
Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness. ~ Williams Carey
Ron,
Thank you for sharing your collection of prayer quotes! What a wonderful cornucopia of insight into the meaning of the word “prayer.”
Prayer is a demonstration of our faith in our creator God as we bring our praise, request for help to Him. The power is not in our words but in His response.
Thank you for the quotes Ron. Very interesting!
God is the power behind prayer. Prayer shows dependence and trust in God while a lack of prayer shows independence from God and trust in ourselves or our idols.
Thank you, Rich! Prayer is an important way of acknowledging God.
Great point Rich, God is the power behind our prayer and the power responding to our prayer. Once again we are nothing, no room to boast.
As usual, a single sentence of God’s Word proves to be immeasurably deep. The key words in today’s verse are prayer, righteousness, power and effective. Any single word could provide a jumping off point for dozens of essays.
James makes the point that our righteousness is related to the response we get from God to our prayers. Does anybody have an opinion on whether our use of the phrase “power of prayer” conveys the same message? Or, does the phrase “power of prayer” lead us to believe the “power” is in our own ability to pray rather than pointing to our dependance on God?
Some say, “I believe in the power of prayer”. I believe in the power of the One to whom I pray. He wants to reward His faithful prayer warriors.
Thank you, JEC!
I think James might add that faithful prayer warriors are also righteous prayer warriors. 🙂
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Nice one guys.