The Prayer Of The Righteous

Thursday, October 1

James 5:16 (NKJV)

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Devotion

When believers pray together, they stay together in peace, and God’s Spirit flows among them. It is hard for the devil to come in where there is unity and oneness in the Holy Ghost.

Pastor Franklin, in Sunday’s sermon, preached on how to deal with life when there’s nothing pretty about it—how to bear the unbearable.

Pray!

Why do we pray?

You do not just pray to get miracles. Sometimes God says, “You’ve got to trust Me this time.” It is like having a conversation with a friend and staying apart for days without it, thus causing drift. Prayer brings us closer to God.

The essence of prayer is to get your sensor of praise out even when you’re dealing with things that are making you weary. It is telling God, “I don’t know what’s going on, but I trust You because Your ways are better.”

Our incense is prayer. Every time you pray, it goes up. By gathering together in church and among believers to pray and praise, you’re not just doing it for yourself, but you’re letting the sweet scent of your prayer and praise give reprieve to somebody else who can’t take it anymore.

How does prayer heal?

The aroma and sweetness of prayer may not solve the problem as much as you want, but it will help you get through it. The breath of the Holy Spirit will give you a fresh life that will give you the strength to be able to live with it. The more incense of prayer we send up, the more miracles come down.

Prayer does not eliminate every problem in your life, but God wants His image to be seen in you, and that includes suffering. (John 16:33)

Prayer is God’s answer for the unbearable. Even Jesus felt sorrowful in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, “Father, if it is possible, take this cup from Me,” and an angel came and strengthened Him. (Matthew 26:39)

Be encouraged in the Lord, and you will receive your strength and healing. Satan is defeated, and nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:37–39)

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I wait upon You only, for my expectation is from You. Fill my heart, Lord, with Your strength, because You alone do I trust. Give me a new vision, one filled with Your hope. Nothing is impossible for You. I thank You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Believe the prayer you just prayed. Whatever you are facing right now, God is able to deliver. His Word can create a new vision in our hearts. And when it is spoken aloud, faith will arise as you hear it. Declare Psalm 89:1–18.

Resources

• Have you been praying about that situation you’ve been facing? Take a few minutes to watch “Have You Prayed About It?” and be encouraged to bring it to God in prayer.

• Discover the power of simple, heartfelt prayers with Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s book, The Power of Short Prayers. Learn how brief prayers filled with faith can transform your daily walk with God and draw you closer to Him.