The Effectual Fervent Prayer!

“… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.….” James 5:16

In the early years of my Christian experience, I was often confused about what real praying was all about. One of the more overused phrases in the church today is “I’ll pray for you” or “pray for me.” This is a phrase that seems to get us out of conversational discomforts, and leaves many of us responsively speechless when it is said to us. Quite frankly, it has become a fictitious statement for many people who will tell you “I’ll pray for you”, but will never do it! It makes us sound “spiritual” and even “caring”, yet our follow-through is often lacking when it comes to really praying. I am one who is STILL learning the ART of effective praying. God seems to show me more and more about prayer that challenges my life, my commitments and my personal discipline. Jesus said in Luke 18:1 “…men aught always to pray and not to faint….” Our text is a passage that is often quoted when referring to prayer, but hopefully we can really understand what it is saying to us with respect to prayer…especially for each other.

Dealing with only the “B” portion of this text, the verse declares that the effectual fervent prayer is what “avails” for us. Effectual & Fervent here are essentially the same words in Greek. Fervent is the word Energeo (en-erg-eh-o), which is where the English word “Energy” is derived. It means to be operative, moving forward, be at work for one in aid, to put forth power and activity that is focused on results and accomplishment. It also signifies to remain operable, complete and to overcome. The word Prayer here is the Greek in compound form, Deesis (deh-ay-sis), from Deomai (deh-om-ahee) & Deo (deh-o), which means to long for, desire, entreat to God with a passion for binding together, to be tied to, fasten or bound as with chains, to put under a legal obligation to seek out, discover or take on a serviceable duty.

Let us look at this (briefly): The effectual fervent prayer! This is the kind of praying that causes us to make ourselves available to people beyond mere words of comfort. It causes us to become ACTIVE for the one whom we are praying for. It seeks results and will NOT stop until the focus is completed, accomplished and maintained. Furthermore, the effectual fervent prayer is one that causes me to become so passionate for your causes/issues that I literally & spiritually become attached, fixed to and a companion of your concerns. In fact, I willfully put myself under a legally binding obligation to do something that will ensure your triumph! Saints, this is praying!

Oh, but wait a minute. The verse says something else. It says that this prayer is prayed by a Righteous man (mankind)! This is the Greek, Dikaios (dik'-ah-yos), which is one who consciously, willfully and completely yielded to observe divine instruction, approved of God and acceptable for the rendering of spiritual service. It also signifies those who prides themselves (NOT who is proud) on being virtuous, rectified in heart, and conformed to spiritual wholeness. In other words, this is one who loves to live for God and is completely yielded to HIS service.

Finally, this verse concludes that an effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man AVAILS MUCH! These two words (in Greek) essentially say the same things. Avail is the word Ischuo (is-khoo-o), which is to be strong, have power as shown in extraordinary deeds, to become forceful, prevailing and whole. Also to become beneficial in service,and to overcome. Much is the word, Polus (pol-oos), which means large, magnified, many, overflowing, great and overwhelming. Therefore Saints, our praying is that which is greatly connected to our actions, and the part of us that is willfully attached to the one for which we are praying, but through God. Thus, our attachment is really to God as HE is attached to the one we are praying for. Are you really praying for someone? What are you DOING to ensure that your prayers become EFFECTUALLY FERVENT?

“…For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith….” 1st Thessalonians 3:9-10

Grace & Peace,
Roc