The Fervent Prayer of the Righteous: Availeth Much

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts from God’s mighty Hand. We are never to neglect nor take for granted what Jesus died to open up for us. Matthew 27:50-54 (NIV) tells us: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” In the curtain being torn from top to bottom, God indicated access to His Presence was now available through prayer for all who would believe on His Son. Praise Jesus! God allows His people access to come at all times into His Presence through the blood of Christ. And His desire is for all of us to call on Him as He wants to direct our paths. This, of course, is both for our good and His glory – one never surpassing the other. As James tells us in our verse for today.

Jesus also tells us in Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV): “‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ‘Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!’” Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV). God welcomes our prayers both continually and consistently – He sweetly never tires of hearing from us. He cares greatly about us and will either change our circumstances or change us in our circumstances – the latter often being the greater miracle as in that He changes the leanings of our hearts. Believe me when I say this – we want what He wants even in the most difficult of situations. His ways are always, always for our best. We can certainly trust Him with our lives and the lives of all we hold near and dear. We presently see such a poor reflection – we know only in part – yet, He knows fully – knowing the end from the beginning – from ancient times what is yet to come.  

Our earnest, persistent and consistent prayers are essential whereas half-hearted wrote memorized prayers can often be self-defeating. Indeed, they are anything but fervent. God desires for His children to come to Him in all sincerity of heart, with all that bothers us, with all that we are thankful for, and with all our needs – whatever is heavy on our hearts. If it bothers His child, it bothers Him. Indeed, believers in sweet Jesus are God’s children and if it bothers us, it bothers Him – Who is well aware of even every hair on our heads. Never, never, neglect prayer. Never. Never. Never.