Effectual?
James 5:16… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
   Everybody who prays wants to see their prayers answered.  Generally prayer is released because there is a need that needs met.  You can prayer for years and still not have that prayer answered.  Some say “I tried that and it don’t work for me”.  Others feel they are not good enough.  Some may think that it doesn’t matter because God is all powerful and is going to do what He wants to anyway.  These positions may hinder prayer but are they valid?  What does the Bible say about prayer?
   Lets examine the latter part of James 5:16 again.  What does the word “effectual” mean regarding prayer.  First of all it is telling us that the prayer must be rooted on a solid foundation.  If we do not know that the answer is the will of God we can’t pray the prayer of faith.  If we do not pray based on the Word of God then we are praying in hope, not faith.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us:  “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  An effectual prayer is based on some knowledge of the Word of God and a relationship with Him.  If you know your prayer is based on the Word (will) of God then you can be sure because of what is found in Isaiah Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  Quoting Scripture is one thing but believing what it says is another.  If you are going to receive, you must believe.  You must have an expectation.  Mark 11:24 says  “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  When that prayer comes from your spirit instead of your head, it is a fervent prayer.  It contains faith, zeal, determination and expectation.  A fervent effectual prayer is powerful.
   However there is one more element to be considered from James 5:16.  It tells us that this prayer comes from a righteous man;  a man that is a child of God.  Although this prayer works it does mean that as soon as you declare it it is done.  Not hardly.  Satan comes immediately to rob, steal and kill.  Daniel’s prayer was dispatched the day he prayed it but it took days before it was manifested.  What then?  When you pray the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man you must stand your ground and not waiver.  You must remove all fear and doubt.  You must fight the good fight of faith.  Your confession must not be compromised.  You must not yield to temptation.
   Sometimes prayers are hindered or not answered because of sin, unforgiveness or ignorance of what God says in His Word.  God loves you and has promised to meet your need if you are His.  However, He will not compromise and He is no respecter of persons..  We know God can neither lie nor fail.  So, if there is a hindrance we might need to examine ourselves.
    Maranatha!