“ . . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16b)
“Fervent”, translated from the Greek “energeo”, which means: “to be active” “be mighty in” “to be at work” “to be effective” “to produce”. The implication is that a praying person will be effective as he applies much effort and time in the praying.
Further . . .
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12)
Allow me also draw your attention to the words, “laboring fervently”. From the Greek, “agonizomai”, which means “to struggle” “to compete for a prize” “to contend with an adversary” “to fight, labor, wrestle for” “to exert oneself” “to strive earnestly” “to carry on a war”.
Dear believer, please do not think me arrogant in asking this question, rather be honest with yourself and with God. However, Beloved, how much of your (and my) prayer life could be defined in these ways? The greatest missing element in the average believer’s praying is the fight . . . the contending . . . the “standing in the gap” for . . . the ask, and keeping on asking, the seek, and keeping on seeking, the knock, and keeping on knocking!
Our world needs more fighters on their knees, for the Kingdom’s sake, and the sake of a needy world! Come on church, Pray On!
Comments
Amen, Phil. I, too, am thankful that God made sure we would have this faithful man's example. Jerry
Jerry,
Epaphras is one of my favorite biblical prayer champions!
I enjoying unpacking this verse phrase by phrase.
This scripture taught me "so that" praying; pray for everything toward a "so that" conclusion ... God, answer my prayer, so that, your deeper, wider, higher purpose may be realized.
He is "one of us;" we can do it!
Phil