Prayer is meant to be a spiritual act of dependence on God. The example of the Pharisee in the Temple showed us that it can be otherwise Lk 18:1-10. People, even believers can use prayers for other purposes other than what God ordained it to be. Some use it to instruct or direct God. Some use it to impress others, even God Himself. Others use it to escape responsibilities.
The Apostle James sprinkled his writing with his understanding of prayer and how to make it effective. We shall study briefly to learn seven (7) important lessons on how to make our prayers more effective since prayer cannot be set aside in the life of a follower of Christ.
Prayer is the link between human desires and Heaven’s response to make it a reality. “You do not have because you do not ask…”, James said Jas 4:2. Instead of complaining and grumbling and fighting and all of these evil stuff, you can turn your own desires to reality through prayer.
What then are lessons we can learn from the book of James on the subject of prayer? Here are seven points:
- Ask God– “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…” Jas 1:5. Why should our prayers be directed to God? James said, first of all, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” vs 17. John the Beloved in his writing corroborated that point when he said, “… A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven…” John 3:27. Those good things that you desire are available in Heaven- in the spiritual realm, and God wants you to have them. Secondly, James showed us that God gives liberally (Jas 1:5), that is, God gives generously. That is what we desire- we want to receive generously without being looked down on. We don’t want to be criticized for requesting. We all want a lavish giver who gives freely- that is not common among men- God alone qualifies. He gives graciously- sometimes before we ask; he gives generously- more than we ask or imagine; He gives without rebuking or criticizing us.
- Ask in faith– “But let him ask in faith-” Jas 1:6. Ask with persuasion and conviction. Ask with confidence. And what will that persuasion, conviction and confidence be based on? It is established on the truth of God. It is a reliance on who God is and what He is able to do. Be steadfast in that persuasion. Do not waver; do not doubt. Do not give in to a second opinion or thought about the willingness of God to give you what you are asking for. Most of the times this is where many have doubts. You may not be able to pinpoint from Scripture that your specific need is God’s will but the Scripture says that God gives us all things to enjoy 1 Tim 6:17. Trust in God and do not pay attention to the circumstances around you. God is greater than your need or circumstances.
- Act and speak in faith– “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works” Jas 2:22. What steps of faith do you need to take as the Holy Spirit inspires you? You must be courageous to take action as you are led to. Faith is perfected by works as James said, so what actions will help to perfect your faith? Speaking in line with your faith is part of your works of faith. You can’t believe one way and speak contrary. Your speaking can kill or destroy your expectation Jas 3:2-12. What you say can determine the direction of your expectation and your life. So be careful to speak in line with your expectation.
- Ask to Glorify God – “…you ask for things to use for your own pleasures” Jas 4:3; 3:17. What is your motive for asking? The request may be right because the need is justifiable but the motive if it is wrong overrules everything. God looks at the heart first of all. So, be sure that your heart is to glorify and please Him. James 3: 17 shows us how to purify our motives: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
- Arm yourself with righteousness– “… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much: Jas 5:16. It is not every fervent prayer that gets God attention. God looks at the prayer- the one praying. He must be righteous. Do you treat people fairly? “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth” Jas 5:4. If you want God to treat you well, treat others the same way. God will not overlook your actions toward others when He is dealing with you- He is not an unjust judge. So, let your righteousness speak for you.
- Ask and be patient– “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” Jas 5:7. The answer to your request may not come instantly- most times they don’t. The key to your receiving your request is patience. Your patience also is an evidence of your faith. Don’t go after alternatives. Keep your focus and wait on God. God is ‘cooking’ something- you may not see it yet but will turn out perfect when He finally presents it to you. Though it tarries, wait for it said the Prophet.
- Ask earnestly– “… and he prayed earnestly…” Jas 5:17 (16). Perhaps this should have been said earlier. A prayer that does not touch you will not touch anyone. A desire that is not deep enough will not be persistently pursued. To what extent are you willing to go about that request? What are you willing to suffer to get what you want? That is how passionate you are about your desire. A casual desire and request will not travel far, if prayer were a journey. It does not have sufficient fuel to carry it into the Heavens. Your passion determines your earnestness and it is what fuels your desire in prayer. Requests that get answered are desires that touch the soul of the one making the request.
Do not get tired of praying. It is a vital link between you and God. You only need to do it better. And what joy the soul has when it receives Divine response to its earnest desires. May that joy be yours continually. May it not be foreign to your soul. Amen.