Journey of Prayer--Day 18

Wednesday, January 27

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 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 earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:16-18

In our devotional today, we read about two great prayer warriors of old: one being Elijah (as seen in the verses above) and the other being James (the one who wrote these verses). I'm convinced that if these two men could speak to us today, they would want us to know the Lord the way they knew Him, both personally and powerfully, through prayer. Isn't amazing to think we are talking to the same God that these men were thousands of years ago? He is just as intimate and involved with you...today!

I thought I would copy/paste some of the "why's" of prayer from the devotional in order to encourage us to stay the course like James and Elijah did. When I compiled this list, it helped me realize how beneficial "fervent praying" has been in my own life:

1. Prayer replaces my worry with His peace.

2. Prayer helps me focus positively on others rather than negatively on myself.

3. Prayer keeps me from trying to manipulate or control situations.

4. Prayer keeps me from overly talking to people or about people.

5. Prayer provides me a free ongoing session with my Wise Counselor.

6. Prayer opens my eyes to the movement of God.

7. Prayer touches hearts in ways my words cannot.

8. Prayer increases my faith and causes me to worship.

9. Prayer makes me thankful rather than ungrateful.

10. Prayer makes my relationship with God personal and intimate.

Which of these speak to your the most? Or is there another insight you can add to this list to encourage us to pray often? Please share below.

May James inspire us. May Elijah inspire us. And may we inspire each other to pray effective fervent prayers...because they accomplish much.

Dear Lord,

You are timeless. You are attentive. You are intimate. You are powerful. You are able. You are pleased to hear our voices. Cause us to pray and keep praying, trust and keep trusting so that our relationship with you will strengthen and our faith in you will abound. Amen.

For further reading: Psalm 66:19-20; 2 Corinthians 1:11; 1 John 5:14-15