Does it really make a difference when you pray? Does it really matter whether you pray about something or not? We started talking about that yesterday in this devotional on prayer that makes a difference. The truth is, God says in His Word that it does make a difference.

In James chapter 5 verse 16, the Scripture says, The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. God says when a righteous person prays, it makes a powerful impact.

Immediately many of you might feel disqualified. You look at that verse and think, “A righteous person? Well, that counts me out because I am so far from what God wants me to be. I am so far from being like Jesus in so many areas of my life. I'm anything but what you would describe as righteous.”

But God says you are righteous if you have placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “Righteous” is a term that God uses to describe His children who have come into a relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Scripture says in Romans chapter 5 verse 1, Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God declares us righteous in His when we give our lives to the Lord Jesus and place our faith in Him to be justified. To be justified is to be righteous in the sight of God.

So that's a term God uses to describe all of His children. In Romans chapter 4, describing Abraham, it says he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Then in verses 23 and 24 it says, The words ‘it was credited to him’ were not written for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. So if you have placed your faith in Jesus, God has credited to you righteousness—the righteousness of Jesus—and He calls you righteous.

So say this truth out loud, right now: “I am righteous because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I am righteous in the sight of God. I am righteous.” Reject the lies of the enemy and keep repeating that truth and agreeing with God until you begin to believe it. And now James 5:16 applies to you: The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

You are righteous in God’s sight because of your faith in Jesus. 

Pray something like this...

“Father, thank you that you have declared that I am righteous. I acknowledge that this righteousness is not a result of any good thing that I have done, but you have credited me with righteousness because of my faith in your Son, Jesus. Thank you for your grace poured out on me because of Jesus. You are amazing! Help me to believe what you say about me and to realize that I can believe what you say more than I believe how I feel. Help me to live today in the confidence and faith that I am right with you because of Jesus. Empower me to begin to pray like a righteous person.”