A MAN OF LIKE PASSIONS!

A MAN OF LIKE PASSIONS!

James 5:16-18

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

           Our part of the world is currently enduring what seems like endless days of extreme heat and drought. Our fields are parched and brown. The ground crackles under our feet and the heat takes our breath away. Maybe we should pray! Perhaps we have offended the Almighty and our prayers might incline Him toward mercy.

           Verse 16 suggests that we confess our faults one to another and to pray one for another. This is the attitude of mind and heart that attracts the attention of God. Any parent would be upset to witness fighting between children. The Heavenly Father is no different in that regard. Think of the spiritual refreshment that could be enjoyed if we simply would admit our wrongs to each other and to pray for each other?

           Effectual and fervent should be the nature of our prayers because it avails much; it works! Both the words “effectual and fervent” are translated from a single Greek word “energeo” and it is easy to see our own English word “energy” emerge from it. Rain will come when we pray with energy.

           It is clear that God hears the common man. The Greek “homoiopathees” indicates that Elijah was of the same constitution as us. He was a human being; a common man who had power with God. The hope is that we too might be heard when we pray. Earlier, in James 4:2 we are told that “we have not because we ask not.” The famous “revival verse” grows out of a similar situation as our own. There was no rain and locusts (grasshoppers) had devoured everything. At home the grasshoppers are even eating holes in the window screens!

2 Chron 7:13-15

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. [Verse 11 indicates that “this place” is the house of the Lord which Solomon had just finished.]

Pray with me: Dear Lord, forgive us of our many sins and let your ears be attentive unto our prayers. Please, Lord, send us rain and refreshment for the earth. In Jesus Name, AMEN