The Great power of Prayer

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We have a God for all circumstances. In times of affliction, we should pray to Him; in times of cheerfulness, we should sing to Him. Do times of trouble drive us to prayer, and do times of joy lead us to praise?

To encourage us to pray, James draws attention to the powerful combination formed by the right kind of prayer prayed by the right kind of man. The fervent supplication of a righteous man, he assures us, is of ‘great strength’, v. 16 lit.

James loves to illustrate his points by reference to examples from the Old Testament. Previously, he had cited Abraham and Rahab as evidence of true faith that expresses itself in works, 2:20–26, and Job as evidence of patient endurance in the face of affliction, 5:10–11. Now he introduces Elijah as an example of one whose prayer was of ‘great strength,’ 5:17–18.

Although James was fully aware of the normal weather cycle, v. 7, he was also aware of one occasion when God interfered with that cycle in response to a man’s prayers. For by his prayers, Elijah had both shut and opened heaven. James is not suggesting that we should try to replicate the details of Elijah’s prayers, as they achieved remarkable results in unique situations. Nevertheless, James insists, the powerful effects of Elijah’s prayers really do encourage us—because, if Elijah received such momentous answers, we cannot doubt that prayer can achieve enormous things for us too.

But what kind of prayers proved to be of such ‘great strength’? We discover that Elijah prayed:

(i) earnestly, Jas. 5:17. We cannot expect God to hear ‘prayers’ that are cold, lifeless, and formal. Do we pray ‘fervently’?

(ii) humbly, 1 Kgs. 18:42. Do we pray with due reverence?

(iii) intelligently. Elijah prayed in accord with God’s will and purpose as revealed by His word, Deut. 11:16–17; 1 Kgs. 18:1.

(iv) specifically. There was nothing vague or imprecise about Elijah’s supplications. Are our requests clear and definite?

(v) expectantly. ‘Go up now, look …’, he instructed his servant, 18:42. Are we on the lookout for the answers to our prayers?

(vi) persistently. Elijah told his servant to look seven times while he continued to pray, 18:43–44. Do we give in too soon?



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