This week we've been talking about how the prayers of a righteous person really make a difference. James 5:16 says the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Yesterday we saw that a righteous person is the term God uses to describe His children—those who have come into relationship with Him by faith in His Son Jesus. So if you're a child of God, James 5:16 is talking about you: your prayers are powerful and effective.

Now in verses 17 and 18 of James 5, God gives an example to illustrate this powerful truth:

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Immediately when we read those verses, we think to ourselves, “Well, of course God answered Elijah's prayers. Elijah was special. Elijah was a prophet of God. Elijah was unique—I mean, this guy did miracles. So of course God answered his prayers. But I'm not Elijah, so this verse doesn't really apply to me.”

Brothers and sisters, that is the exact opposite of what this verse is teaching. God says in this passage that Elijah was a human being just like you—with the same feelings, with the same limitations, with the same shortcomings. God says, “I didn't answer Elijah's prayers because he was a prophet. Elijah's prayers weren't powerful and effective because he was unique and special. He's just like you in God's sight.”

God is saying to you in this passage: “If I answered Elijah's prayers—he's just like you. If I heard his prayers and they had such an impact that it didn’t rain for three and a half years, then he prayed again and it rained. If I will do that for Elijah, who was just like you, then I will do it for you.” God says your prayers are powerful and effective.
Do you really believe that?

Your prayers are as powerful and effective as Elijah’s.

Pray something like this...

“Father, thank you for speaking to me and assuring me that you work through my prayers in powerful ways. I don’t always pray like I believe that. I am sorry that I doubt you. I am sorry that far too often I base my faith on whether you will answer my prayers on how well I think I pray or whether or not I deserve it. I thank you that you have made me righteous in your sight by my faith in your Son, Jesus. Thank you for answering my prayers because of my relationship with Him. Help me to begin to pray with this confidence so you can do great things through my life. Empower me to be used by you to Advance Your Kingdom through prayer.”