Effective Prayer

The Book of James says the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth (accomplishes) much. The definition of fervent means to have a zeal, prayers that are so intense to bring to a boil. This is not casual prayer. We say grace thanking God for the food we are about to eat; we thank Him for safety and nice weather. These are all good prayers. But in times of great need our prayers change in fervency.


We have no righteousness in ourselves; so forget the thought that we have to work up something in our spirit before we go before the throne of God with our prayers. Our righteousness is in Christ Jesus and Christ alone. The Spirit of God places an urgency in our spirit so we come into God's presence with the appropriate urgency; no matter the need.


Christ encourages us to "buy of Him" gold. Not the gold of the world, but spiritual, heavenly gold; refined seven times. In the Book of Daniel it says that King Nebuchadnezzar had his mighty men heat the firey furnace 7 times hotter because the three Hebrew children would not bow to his image and worship. The same thing happens to us. Believers will experience trials, tests and temptations that will get as hot as it can possibly get. But there is One that is also walking in our midst during the heat and fires that come our way.


These trials serve the purposes of God. We may have a sense of what the purpose may be; but most of the time we have no idea; we just trust. All the fire usually does is just burn off what has had us bound, hand and foot, like the Hebrew children in the Book of Daniel. (our hands representing what we do and feet representing where we have been walking). We are freed through the fire! Unbound! Never forget that Jesus said that all authority both in heaven and on earth has been (past tense!) given unto Him. We belong to Him; never lose sight of that fact. He is with us always, even to the very end.


He has been with me through my heart issues. He will be with me tomorrow morning on the operating table in Winchester, VA. It has been a great trial but I have felt His presence, the presence of the Angel of God through the entire process. When fear and sadness trial to make inroads, and it has and will, it is up to me to believe what God promises me. That choice is mine and mine alone. God told Joshua " Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)


God did not say I recommended that you not fear, or My suggestion is that you not fear, but "I command you to not fear....! I fall down on that side of the fence. He is in total control, always ahs been, always will be. The believing part is up to me!


Fear not, for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed,
I AM your God.
I will be with you and I will comfort you.


Jesus said, "I AM with you always,
even to the very end.


That is good enough for me!!