Thursday's Thought

James 5:16-18

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Good morning, family and friends!

The last part of James 5:16 tells us "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Then, the following two verses give us an example of a righteous man who prayed in that manner - Elijah. This prophet was a man just like us with similar passions; he was human, yet He trusted in the Holy God of Israel. His prayers made a difference; they were effective. Elijah even prayed about the weather, and God heard and answered Him!

Using the above verses as their text, one minister preached a great message entitled, "The Power to Create Your Own Climate," while another preached yet another awesome message, "Are You A Thermostat or a Thermometer?" We can be modern day Elijahs if we choose to be righteous as God is righteous, and have a daily, effectual prayer life. We can create things by and through prayer, not for our own good and selfish desires, but as we sense it is God's will in certain matters. Elijah's prayer for the rain was due to his belief that God would use the rain, or lack thereof, in dealing with Israel.

What is our utmost need today? Worry won't solve it. Trying to figure it out on our own won't solve it, but prayer that is earnest and fervent, will make a difference. If we care deeply about something, our prayers will carry to God that same depth of feeling. God is listening, so let us pray!

The Dove Brothers sing a beautiful song, "I Can Pray" - a good ending for this post:

Verse One

You say I'm not able

I'm too young or I'm too old

And I can't sing or teach

And no title do I hold

Lord, what can I do?

For I want to do my part

And I want to help the hurting

With all of my heart

Chorus

I can pray until the walls come down

Until there's healing all around

That's something I can do

I can pray in my secret place

Calling on Your name

That's something I can do

I can pray

Verse Two

My family shows no interest

My child has gone so far

Though I try my best to reach them

Their hearts just seem so hard

Lord, what can I do?

To help bring them back to You

For my family's lost and dying

And my words don't get through

Chorus Again

We must never forget that there is power in prayer!

Until tomorrow, keep praying............. Lord willing, I'll see you then for another spoonful of daily tonic!