EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

TEXT: JS. 5:16-18

SCRIPTURE READING: PS. 15

INTRO

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

Prayer is the privilege of the righteous (saints)!

God’s people (no matter what time period) have always

been people of prayer!

Js. 5:16-1816. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one

another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

17. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

18. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

INTRO

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

God wants us to pray Jesus spoke a parable to show men “ought to pray and not to lose

heart” – Lk. 18:1 We are to be devoted to prayer – Rom. 12:12 We are to “pray without ceasing” – I Thess. 5:17

The prayers of righteous men still serve as example for us

today! (Js. 5:17-18) Rom. 15:4: The O.T. gives instruction and encouragement for

today!The prayers of the righteous in times past serve as great examples!

The effective prayers of the righteous accomplish much!

MOSES

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

Moses had been timid and fearful (Became a great prophet – Deut. 34:10) Ex. 3, 4: He offered God several excuses for not going to Egypt. He was insecure and frightened at going back to Egypt. But one by one, God removed all excuses and Moses did all he

was told.

Moses prayed an intercessory prayer for his people(bravely prayed to God) Ex. 32:9-14: The people committed idolatry with the golden calf

and God said He would destroy them and make a new nation out of Moses. Moses interceded! Ex. 32:30-32: Moses asked God for forgiveness of the people!

MOSES: APPLICATION

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

We are to pray intercessory prayers: For all the saints – Eph. 6:18

Eph. 6:1818. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and

with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

For all men – I Tim. 2:1

I Tim. 2:11. First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions

and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,

For governing officials – I Tim. 2:1-4 For erring children of God – Acts 8:24 (They must still

repent!) For those who confess sins – Js. 5:16

Moses’ prayer saved his people from the wrath of God!

DAVID

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

David, a man after God’s own heart (I Sam. 13:14),acknowledged sin without: Rationalizing Justifying Shifting blame II Sam. 12:13: When confronted with his sins, he admitted guilt

and said, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

He acknowledged his sin was against God! Ps. 51:4: David recognized sin was against God and God is just in

judgment. II Sam. 12:13-14: David was forgiven but he had to bear the

consequences!

He prayed to be right in his heart – Ps. 51:10

DAVID: APPLICATION

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

Only when we are right in our hearts can we havefellowship with God – Ps. 15:

Ps. 15A psalm of David1. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your

holy hill? 2. He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And

speaks truth in his heart. 3. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his

neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4. In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those

who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5. He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

David acknowledged his sin and prayed to God for forgiveness!

David is example today of a contrite heart (Ps. 51:17),

and we must have the same heart to ask God for forgiveness when we sin – I Jn. 1:9

ELIJAH

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

Elijah prayed for God to intervene in nature – Js. 5:17-18:

I Kings 17:1: Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel into sin (I Kings 16:30).God demonstrated His power over nature,

and their dependence on Him!

Elijah prayed for the son of the widow of Zarephath –

I Kings 17:20-21God heard and brought the boy back to life –I Kings 17:22

Elijah prayed on Mt. Carmel – I Kings 18:36-37 Contest of the false prophets of Baal & Asherah and God of Israel.

God answered with fire from Heaven! (I Kings 18:38)

ELIJAH: APPLICATION

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

James said he was “a man with a nature like ours” (Js. 5:17) and his

prayers accomplished much!

Js. 1:6-76. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf

of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

We need to pray to God with confidence and ask Him for

anything!Jn. 14:13-1413. "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in

the Son. 14. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

Elijah confronted a king and a nation, and showed great

compassion through prayer!

DANIEL

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

Daniel was a man of regular prayer – Dan. 6:10-11

He prayed to God when it was illegal! Dan. 6:16: For his regular schedule of prayer he was cast into

the lion’s den! God protected Daniel from harm – Dan. 6:22 The pagan king acknowledged God! – Dan. 6:25-28

He prayed an intercessory prayer for his people – Dan. 9

DANIEL: APPLICATION

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

Are we people of regular prayer, regardless ofcircumstances?

Eph. 6:1818. With all prayer and petition PRAY AT ALL TIMES in

the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

I Thess. 5:1717. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING;

Daniel’s unceasing prayers influenced a pagan king

to praise God!

CONCLUSION

EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH

God hears and answers our prayers: I Pet. 3:10-12: God hears the prayers of the

righteous! I Jn. 5:14: God hears us (if ask according to His

will) No reason not to pray!

Despite those who might harm us God holds the answer!

Despite how busy we might feel God holds the answer!

Do you pray as you should, and as often as you should?

We are to be righteous and pray forone another to accomplish much in

each other’s lives!

“WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?”

Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)

Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)

Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom.

10:10)Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10)

For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9),

Pray (Acts 8:22)