Rev. E. Anderson
THE EFFECTUAL DIVINE PRINCIPLES THAT GOVERN PRAYER
Reading James 5: 13-18
Text v16
Introduction
Divine Principle: A principle is a definite and good rule of action in life that is applied will have good consequences. A divine law and regulation that is revealed in the Word of God that if accepted and followed though in deed will reap certain, notable and praiseworthy results. It is important that those who profess an intimacy and relationship with God be fully aware of every principle that God has made known and seek to introduce them into life and experience.
Divine Prayer: There are sure rules that make prayer effectual and such must be present and prevail for tremendous results. God does answer prayer without a doubt but He looks for important and imperatives factors to be evident in those who do the praying. He listens to countless people praying from all over the world and responds to some and fails to take note of others. It is because of vital factors that are absent from the people who pray.
The following are some of the things that are absolutely required to give substance and power to prayer.
1/. DIVINE RIGHTEOUSNESS
God is a God of righteousness and if any person is going have any influence with Him in prayer that their belief and behaviour must of a godly quality. The psalmist put it perfectly clear in personal admission: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” – Psalm 66: 18. He sensed that plumbed inside of him and knew what existed there. The prophet is also bold when he states: “Behold . . . . His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you” – Isaiah 59: 1, 2. It is obvious that he takes note of the righteous disposition of the heart and life. See the emphasis- “The effectual prayer of a RIGHTEOUS MAN availeth much” – James 5: 16. It is not possible for any person to fool God.
2/. DIVINE FAITH AND CONVICTION
For prayer to be very powerful and fruitful then genuine assurance towards god and His ability must be sensed. The writer to the Hebrews says on this: “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” – Hebrews 11: 6. It is a primary requisite and is a factor that God seeks to generate and cultivate in the matter of prayer. Before prayer is made and entered into it should be asked, do we believe God will give what is asked for? James puts it very strongly when he affirms: “If any many lack . . . . but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” – James 1:6-7.
3/. DIVINE REVELATION AND KNOWLEDGE
It is essential to know from God that what is being asked for truly accords with His will. Is what is being prayed for line up with His desires and lines up with what is acceptable and commendable to Him? Could the requests be geared to selfishness and greed and not with wholesome desire? James says elsewhere: “You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts” – James 4: 3. If we are free from any condemnation in what we ask and our motives our pure and eye single, then The Lord will make prayer effectual. John states: “Beloved if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” – 1 John 4: 21, 22.
4/. DIVINE PERSISTENCY
One of the outstanding things the Lord looks for in those who pray is persistency. Christ taught two parables to give persistency spotlight and emphasis. He makes it apparent that there mist be the will to press through until the answer is known. See the accounts of the man who was desperate for bread and the widow who presented her cause to an uncaring judge – Luke 11: 5-13; 18: 1-8. Those who get dynamic results by and through pray are not quitters!
5/. DIVINE EXPECTANCY
Those who have true prayer inspiring and governing within know a divine sense of expectation that they will truly receive what they are asking God for. This is what Jesus Christ to create and nurture within His disciples on the matter. After cursing a fig tree and seeing it respond to His word, the disciples were taken aback by the immediate sight. Christ used the incident to make clear to those who represented Him and prayed that expectation and true hope be present when believing – Mark 11: 19-24. Elijah expected God to give rain and stayed at prayer until the expectation prevailed.
CONCLUSION
Personal examination must take place to make sure that these divine, spiritual rules are inspiring and regulating prayer. Some time must be engaged in because it is desired that prayer will be a dominant feature of life and ministry.
There is a great need to be divinely encouraged to see what Prayer will bring about if truly pursued and practised.
Barnabas Ministries UK 