The Prayer of A Righteous Man Availeth Much

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

James 5:16 (KJV)

Just after shift a while ago, I with my boss and co-workers visited a friend's mother who has been hospitalized. This friend of mine to give you an idea a very jolly person. A friend who is always able to make you smile and make things a little not too serious.

Honestly, I was expecting that same kind of person when we arrived at the hospital. But I was wrong. I found my friend crying and sobbing beside her ailing mother. Now that tells me how serious the situation was.

She then started telling us about her mother's condition. Her sickness really started with Diabetes and then became complicated. Complications that made her blood pressure and sodium in her body go up. I then learned that her mom haven't awaken since Saturday. She has also greatly lost weight from the last time (and the only time) I saw her.

We then started empathizing and comforting our friend with taps on the back, hugs and we even tried to crack some jokes to lighten the mood. I know this is a very difficult situation in her life.

Deep inside me, I really wanted to pray for her mother and my friend's family. But there's something that's stopping me from doing so. I'm not sure if it's shyness or fear of rejection or I don't know. But while we were there, there was a battle inside me whether to pray or to just shut up.

Praise the Lord! He won! I said it! I asked everyone if we can pray and WE DID!

Now this is the reason why the title of this post is "The Prayer of A Righteous Man Availeth Much". It is actually my declaration that my prayer for comfort, healing, hope and love from the Lord Jesus to the family be answered. It is my faith that my prayer be heard and be "effective" for God's glory! Not that I consider myself righteous because of me. Absolutely not! But that I consider myself righteous by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, my mediator to God!

With that faith, I know that my prayers have been heard and answers are already coming. But this is also a great opportunity for all of you my dear readers to pray with me for my friend's family and her mom for miraculous healing, financial provision and that their hearts be filled with God's love and comfort through HIS WORD! Remember that when two or more people agree, God shall open the windows of heaven.

Please take time to remember them in prayer. May God bless you always.

Why Am I Not Blessed Yet?

A lot of us get disappointed when our prayers are unanswered.

A lot of us get discouraged when things aren't going the way we want it!

A lot of us then ask, "Where is God when I needed Him most?"

Can you relate? I can.

A lot of times, I asked, "Why Am I Not Blessed Yet?"

The Bible as always has the answer!

James wrote,

2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. [James 4:2-3]

The issue is not whether God wants to bless us or not. In fact, God wants to bless us. That's already a given fact! [Gen. 12:3]

The question we should ask ourselves is "Why are we asking for the things we're asking?"

James clearly said, "we don't receive what we ask because we ask with wrong motives."
"

In Deut. 8:18,

Deuteronomy 8:18 (New King James Version)

18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.


Are we so good in asking for anything and when we receive it, do we immediately forget what the blessings are for?

In Deut. 8:18, the Word of the Lord says "He will give us POWER to get wealth!" Did he say for you to go and spend it for your selfish desires? No! He didn't. Instead he said, "That HE can ESTABLISH his covenant!"

Are we glorifying GOD with what we have now? Are we even giving our tithes faithfully? Are we even generous enough to share to the needy and hungry?

Some few things to check before asking today!

And MAY GOD SO RICHLY BLESS YOU!

Faith without Works is Dead

James 2:26 (New King James Version)
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Reflection:
Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe in the Bible? Even the demons believe and tremble. (James 2:19)


What differs us then from the devil as far as our "belief" is concern? James has the answer: WORKS as proof of our faith.


We say "I trust in you, Lord" but we worry when problems come. We proclaim we're Christians to our workmates and families but we join them in their drinking sessions and gossip meetings. We declare we're victorious in Christ but we act as losers in times of crisis. We shout "I can do all things through Christ" but we lack confidence when we're given responsiblities.



God is telling us today to LIVE according to what we believe in, to ACT as a believer and to REACT to situations and problems as one!


I was blessed with the song Luv is A Verb by DC Talk. The whole message of the song is that LOVE is not mere word but an action word and that it's something that you actually do. Just like faith, FAITH is a Verb. A word that you act on and do!


How have you been showing your faith?



Recommended Readings:

Without faith, Nothing Else Matters
Prayers Answered by God through Faith
Forsaking All for Christ

Published by: Your Daily Word