Are you and God on speaking terms? The Bible has much to say about prayer. The book of James tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16).” The word translated “availeth” in this verse means, “has much force.” Someone wisely said, “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.” Peruse the prayers of the Bible and you will be amazed at their display of power. History too, is replete with illustrious stories of how prayer changed the course of the world and the lives of the prayerful.
Another verse that boggles the imagination is, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2).” According to this verse, divine aid and blessing is forfeited when we neglect prayer. Consider for a minute how this truth might affect you. For example: Let’s say you were about to take a trip and decided to pause for a moment and ask God to get you to your destination safely. This verse says that your brief prayer could make the difference between having an accident or not. Don’t misunderstand here; I’m not suggesting that prayer is like the proverbial genie in a bottle with a promise that your every wish will be granted. We must remember that God uses the trials of life to make us more like Christ, nevertheless, some blessings are forfeited because I refuse to pray.
We live in a day in which we truly need God’s intervention. Our country is divided and economic strain is wide spread; churches have drifted away from the fundamental truths upon which they were established, and the family has been redefined, etc. We need the Lord desperately! Could it be that we have neglected our blood bought privilege called prayer? Could it be that our nation, churches and families could be spared some of the turmoil and hardship that we face if you and I would give ourselves to prayer? “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1John 5:14).”