The Effectual Fervent Prayer

The Effectual Fervent Prayer By Robert C. Archer

“The Effectual Fervent Prayer of a Righteous man avails much” James 5:16

James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

What we learn from Elijah’s example • That God answers prayers • Sometimes He says, “Yes” • Elijah • James 5:17-18 (NKJV) 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Hezekiah • 2 Kings 20:4-6 (NKJV) • 4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, • 5 "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. • 6 "And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David." ' "

What we learn from Elijah’s example • That God answers prayers • Sometimes He says, “No” • Example: Paul • 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NKJV) • 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. • 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. • 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. • 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What we learn from Elijah’s example • That God answers prayers • Sometimes He says, “Do it yourselves” • Moses • Exodus 14:10-15 (NKJV) 10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. • 15 And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

What we learn from Elijah’s example • How to pray • He separated himself • 1 Kings 18:42 (NKJV) 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel…

What we learn from Elijah’s example • How to pray • He humbled himself • 1 Kings 18:42 (NKJV) 42 …then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees • Remember this prayer was after his great victory over the prophets of Baal (2 Kgs. 18:21ff) • Defeat often comes after victory • 1 Corinthians 10:12 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

What we learn from Elijah’s example • He was specific • 1 Kings 18:43 (NKJV) 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea.“ • We need to be specific in • Asking for forgiveness • Asking for help in overcoming temptation • Asking strength facing a great problem • Asking for help for others • Asking for wisdom

What we learn from Elijah’s example • He was persistent • 1 Kings 18:43 (NKJV) • …So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again."

Jesus said • Matthew 7:7-12 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

What we learn from Elijah’s example • He was expectant • 1 Kings 18:44 (NKJV) 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' “ • James 1:6 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

What about us? • Will God answer our prayers? We have the same nature as Elijah

What about us? • Yes, God will answer our prayers! • Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

What about us? • God will answer our prayers! • Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

What about us? • God will answer our prayers! • 1 John 3:22 (NKJV) 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

What about us? • God will answer our prayers! • 1 John 5:14-15 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

The Effectual Fervent Prayer