Effective Prayer

When it comes to prayer, we often hear quoted James 5:16b—

 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)

 

In the case of this verse (and of course many others), there is an advantage to our having different translations. Here is the same verse from the Amplified.

 

The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

 

And listen to the words used by the English Standard Version—

 

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

 

What caught my attention today as I read it first from the ESV is “as it is working.” Hmm. So, I looked it up in the Amplified, which says, “when put into action.”

 

It’s so easy to think that our prayers are not work, not action. But, the truth is just the opposite.

 

Here is the same verse from the New American Standard Bible—

 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

 

The word “effective” is the Greek word energeō

, which the New King James Version translates as “effective fervent.” This Greek word, according to Strong’s means to be operative, be at work, or put forth power. It is anything but passive. In fact, this word is used to describe the work of God by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:6 and of the Holy Spirit in verse 11, as well as in other scriptures. And, interestingly, the NASB doubles the word using it at the beginning, “effective,” and at the end, “accomplish,” as if to emphasize the working significance of prayer.

So, praying moms, be sure that the time you spend in prayer IS work! And be sure that it will make a difference.

 

Samuel Davies, an 18^th century minister, evangelist, and religious reformer said, “And how are we to expect His sacred influences? The answer is , Pray for them: pray frequently, pray fervently.” He also said, “The most important blessings of my life I have looked upon as immediate answers to the prayers of a pious mother."

 

Praying moms, you are moving the Hand of Heaven to accomplish much.