James 5:16 NKJV The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Prayer has to be one of the most important aspects of living the Christian life. A truly Christ-centered life is about a thriving, initimate relationship with a loving God who chose us while we were at our worst (Romans 5:8). In any relationship, the depth of communication dictates the level of intimacy and achieving it’s greatest potential. If you desire to live a Christ-centered life and receive all that God has for you, then learning the secrets of prayer must be a top priority.
James 5:16 uses a word that is seldom heard, a word to describe the most effective prayers—fervent. Fervent is defined as extremely hot, glowing, burning, and with great emotion. Fervent prayer is a prayer that is both passionate and persistent. It’s not just a casual conversation with God, but a deep, wholehearted, and intense plea for His intervention. It’s not about using religious words or following a formula, but about being genuine and honest in our communication with God.
Fervent prayer is not just a one-time prayer we toss up before a meal or gathering. Jesus was teaching about fervent prayer when He taught His followers, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9). Ask-Seek-Knock—this is the kind of fervor and persistence that characterize effective prayer. It’s a cry for His unconstrained help, direction, and provision. It is prayers from a heart surrendered to the Holy Spirit.
Fervent prayers are when we are no longer aiming to control the situation ourselves; rather, we are coming before the God of heaven and earth to ask Him to move on our behalf. No longer are we seeking to carry the weight of things ourselves; rather, we are calling for “His will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven.” It is when our heart, soul, and mind are aligned with God’s.
Fervent prayers do not require being a spiritual giant, but come from the hearts of normal people. James 5:17–18 says Elijah was an ordinary man; God answered his fervent prayers for Israel and it did not rain for 3.5 years. Hannah was a normal person but was burdened and brokenhearted over being unable to have children. The Lord saw Hannah, her pure intent, her desire to be a mother, and a faithful servant (1 Samuel 1:10). It was because of the Lord’s favor and Hannah’s fervent prayers that Samuel was born and became one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.
Fervent prayers result in freedom. In Acts 12, King Herod had arrested James, the brother of John, and had killed him by sword. When he saw that it pleased the people he set out to do it again. This time arresting Peter. But since it was during Passover, Herod was Peter thrown into prison and guarded around the clock by sixteen soldiers. But the best plans of man are no match for a faithful God and the fervent, persistent prayers of God’s people (Acts 12:7-11). The night before his execution, their fervent prayers resulted in Peter walking out of prison with an angelic escort.
Are we really reaching out to the heart of God when we pray, or are we simply mouthing religious words from tradition or a sense of duty? Coming before God in fervent prayer requires a heart open to the work He will do. But the fruit of fervent prayer is life changing.
Maybe the reason we see so few miracles today, so few great moves of God, is we have forgotten how to be fervent in prayer. Let’s burn with fervent prayer for our marriages, families, friends, co-workers, churches, and our nation. Then we will see God free to move and answer our fervent prayers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe: Go to livingoaksministry.com Copyright 2024 Living Oaks Ministry
Gary and Sandy Anthony
Revelation 3:15-16 NIV I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Romans 12:11-12 TPT Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him. Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but be devoted to prayer at all times.
James 1:7-8 TPT When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?
Hebrews 5:7 NIV During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
1 Timothy 2:8 TPT Therefore, I encourage the men to pray on every occasion with hands lifted to God in worship with clean hearts, free from frustration or strife.
I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! So God granted him what he requested.
Jonah 2:1-2 NLT Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me.
Matthew 21:13 NKJV And Jesus said to them, It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.
Isaiah 56:7 TPT I will welcome you into my holy mountain and make you joyful in my house of prayer. I will accept every sacrifice and offering that you place on my altar, for my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people.
Joshua 24:14-15 NLT So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.””
Revelation 2:4-5 TPT But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning. Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent.
Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV Oh, that your hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with you and your children forever!
Revelation 3:1-2 NLT I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.
Psalms 34:15 NIV The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.
Comentários