CENTRAL THOUGHT
A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian; therefore, men ought always to pray and not to faint.
HYMN: CHRISTIAN SEEK NOT YET REPOSED
TEXT: James 5:12-18
INTRODUCTION The Christian’s most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. Prayer should come first in our everyday living and we should not forget to pray at the end of each day.
We are to pray because:
a. We have been commanded to pray (Luke. 18:1)
b. It is a means of communing with God (Matt.6:9)
c. It is a means of obtaining things from God (Matt.7:7,8)
d. It is a channel/source of power (Acts.4:31; Jer.33:3; Isa. 48:6) and
e. To avoid falling into temptation. (Matt. 26:41).
There is need for the believer to trust that the prayers offered are answered by God, and such prayer has to be “effectual and fervent”. This study seeks to sharpen and refine our prayer lives for effectiveness and fervency.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To understand the meaning of “effectual fervent prayer”.
- To identify various instances of “effectual fervent prayer”.
- To identify the ingredients of “effectual fervent prayer”.
- To identify some hinderances to “effectual fervent prayer”.
- To appreciate some benefits of “effectual fervent prayer”.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1A. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE TERM “PRAYER”?
Prayer is a humble and earnest communion with God. It is also pouring out one’s mind/heart/grief before God. (1 Sam. 1:15-16). It is to ask, to crave, to desire, to require, or to demand from the Lord. It is also a medium where men express themselves to God, be in search of blessing, and engage in confession of sins and acknowledgement of mercies received.
There are different aspects of prayers, among which are prayer of praise and worship (Heb.13:15), of thanksgiving (Ps.100:4), of consecration/dedication, of intercession (1Tim.2:1), of supplication (Eph.6:18), of agreement (Matt.18:19), of authority (Mk.16:17-18) and praying in the Spirit (1 Cor.14:2, 14). It must however be mentioned that there is no clear- cut distinction in each of the prayer, i.e., each time we pray, we are likely to pray all the different aspects of prayer in a single prayer.
Q1B. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER”?
The word “effectual” means a thing that produces the intended or required result while fervent is having/showing very strong and sincere feeling about something. The phrase “effectual fervent prayer” therefore will mean the sincere prayer that produces the desired result. It also means the heart-felt continued prayer that produces wonderful result.
It must be noted that this prayer must be sincere and without hypocrisy. It must also come from a righteous man. Prayers composed by someone else, to be recited by others, may not pass for effectual fervent prayer since it is not from the individual’s heart.
The effectiveness of prayer is not determined by the length and time spent praying, nor the demonstration done by the person praying. It is also not tied to time and place. God answers prayers everywhere and every time. The effectiveness of prayer is only determined by the gracious will of God and the person’s repentance, sincerity, faith, devotion to God and willingness to submit to God’s will.
Q1C. WHOSE PRAYER IS DESCRIBED AS “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER” AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES BEFORE US.
Pro. 15:29; Jn 9:31 From the scriptural references only the righteous, those having a right standing with God can be described as offering effectual fervent prayer.
The challenges facing us today are numerous among which are that we want answered prayers but are not willing to pay the price of living right before God. Also, some Christians believe that it is only in a particular place e.g., the altar in the church, that their prayers could be answered. We are told in Scriptures to pray everywhere lifting up holy hands. (1 Tim.2:8).
On the issue of time, some Christians believe that prayers are better and easily answered at a particular time e.g., at midnight. Jer.33:3 says call upon me and I will answer you i.e., without time limitation. Lk.18:1 admonishes that “men ought to pray…”
Another challenge is that some Christian do not pray until they have a problem. Prayer should be to the Christian as air (oxygen) is essential for survival of living things. The Christian therefore should pray everywhere and anytime. We should cultivate the habit of praying even in our leisure whether there are challenges or not.
Q2. IDENTIFY INSTANCES OF “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER”, THE RIGHTEOUS MAN INVOLVED AND THE RESULTANT EFFECT FROM THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES.
i. Gen.20:2-3,6-7, 17-18.
ii. Deut.9:9-12,15-20.
iii. Joshua. 10:6-14.
iv. 1Kings.13:4-6.
v. 1Kings.17:1; 18:42-45.
vi. 1Kings.18:36&37.
In Gen. 20, we see Abraham, who prayed for King Abimelech. Nothing was said as to the duration of prayer, but it is important to note that Abraham prayed and God answered and healed the Kings house of barrenness.
Also, in Duet. 9, we read about Moses who fasted and prayed for 80 days all on behalf of the Israelites. He prayed (i.e., interceded) for them and Aaron even when God was angry and wanted to wipe them away because of their idolatry; Moses’ effectual fervent prayer prevented the wrath of God. God had mercy on the nation of Israel by not wiping them out because of Moses’s prayers. Joshua’s account (Josh.10:6-14) of the sun and moon standing still at his command is a vivid example of effectual prayer.
1 Kings 13 narrates how the prophet of the Lord prayed for the restoration of King Jeroboam’s arm who had instructed his guards to arrest the prophet. The king’s arm was restored by the prophet’s prayer. The account of how prophet Elijah decreed drought for 3 ½ years, his contest with the prophets of Baal, and his prayers that brought down both fire and rain are clearly stated in 1 Kings. 17 and 18.
In all the above instances, the men of God prayed and God answered. It shows that God is always interested and does answer prayers. If only men would pray, God will answer.
Q3. WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER”? (Jn. 9:31, James 5:14-16; Mark 11:22-26; Lk.18:1-8; Jn.14:13,14; Phil.2:9-10; Rom.8:14-17,26,29).
For our prayer to be effectual, the believer must do the following. We must confess every known sin, for the prayer of the sinner is an abomination unto God. We must also have a right standing with the Lord. We must pray to the father (Jn. 16:23) and not man (founder of a church) or angels, demons etc. We must pray in the name of the Lord Jesus (Jn. 14:12-15) and not any other name. Also, we must pray and depend on the Holy Spirit and not our selves (Rom. 8:26, Zecha. 12:8).
We must pray with the understanding of rights and privileges we have in God (1Cor. 14:14-15; Hosea 4:6). For our prayers to be effectual, we must pray in harmony with the will of God. (Rom. 8:27). We must also be specific, so that we can give thanks when prayers have been answered.
We must pray with faith, believing and not doubting that God is able to grant our petition. We must also in love contrary to what is seen today i.e., “fire prayers”, praying for one’s enemies to die, e.tc. Jesus taught that we should pray for our enemies, bless them and not curse them. The believer’s prayers must be with love for it to be effectual. It takes love to intercede and to be able to pray for the repentance/ salvation of someone who has wronged us.
Added to the above mentioned, the believer must forgive all other person/persons that have wronged him for his prayers to be answered by God. We also have to persist in our prayers and not give up. It might delay but it does not mean denial by God. We must also praise Him for our answered prayers. (Phil.4:6). For our prayers to be effectual, it must not be self- centered, we must not seek to take the glory of the answered prayer but must desire to return the honor to God. Jesus also taught that we must not pray in hypocrisy i.e., to show to others that we know how to pray, rather we should enter into our closet to pray and the God that answers in the secret will answer us. It is important to note that in our present society will be better when our prayers become effectual.
Q4. WHAT ARE THE HINDERANCES TO “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER”?
There are many reasons why our prayers may not be effectual. Among which are the following, unbelief is revealed in Mark 11:23. Faithfulness is also another reason why our prayers are not effectual (James.1:6-8). It is very important that we pray in accordance with the will of God. Praying outside the will of God will make our prayers ineffectual (James 4:3). Our failure to persist (discouragement) by giving up too soon is a hinderance. We must hold onto God till we receive our answers. (Lk.18:2-5). Also, we must not have an alternative or substitute to our prayer i.e., incase if I pray and there is no result I will turn to another source. We are to look unto Jesus tenaciously for our answers.
The prayer of the sinner the Lord will not hear. (Isa.59:2; Jn.9:31). The presence of sin is a major reason why our prayers are not effectual. Lack of honor/dishonor of our spouse (1 Pet.3:7) can hinder our prayers and make them ineffectual. Unforgiveness and lack of love will render our prayer ineffectual (Matt.18:30-34, 6:15; James 2:13; Pro.21:13). Mention others.
Q5. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER”?
(Phil. 4:6-7; James 5:16)
The benefits of “effectual fervent prayer” are much and cannot be over emphasized. When prayers are answered, one’s mind is at peace and there is rest. It makes one’s faith to grow as the individual’s confidence in God increases that God is a prayer answering God. With effectual prayers, much can be accomplished and tremendous power is made available. There is available strength to run the Christian race. Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. (Isa.40:31; Ps.63:1-3).
Answered prayer encourages the believer to be able to withstand and stand till the end. (Eph.6:12-13). Mention others.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
There are no short cuts to Christ likeness. A faithful prayer life will allow any emptiness in us to be filled with God’s glorious fullness. Praying by the Spirit is a heartfelt continued way which produces results that are often greater than we think are possible.
The Lord is all powerful, all sufficient God to his children, and releases tremendous overcoming power.
MEMORY VERSE
James 5:16b
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: What is prayer.
Matt.7:7,8, 18:19.
Tuesday: Whose prayer is described as “effectual fervent prayer”.
Pro.15:29; Jn. 9:31
Wednesday: Instances of “effectual fervent prayer”. Gen. 20:2-3, 6-7, 17-18; Deut. 9:9-12, 15-20
Thursday: How we should ask from God.
Mk. 11:22-26; Jn. 14:12-15
Friday: Hinderances to “effectual fervent prayer”. James. 1:6-8; Mk. 11:23; Isa. 59:2
Saturday: Benefits of “effectual fervent prayer”. Phil. 4:6-7; James. 5:16