This post is Day 27 in a series of studies about “James”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

James – Day 27

The power of prayer is bigger than many of us realise or believe. There are two keys to success in the life of Elijah, he was a righteous man who prayed earnestly. The first reason that he was known as righteous was because he lived in communion with Father God.

James 5:16-18

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

The Thought

The power of prayer is much bigger than many of us yet realise or even believe. There are two keys to Elijah’s success, he was a “righteous man” and he prayed “earnestly”. The first reason that he was known as a righteous man was because he lived in evident communion with Father God, (long before Jesus came to bridge the gap between Heaven and earth).

The second key to his success was praying earnestly meaning he spent time on his prayers, it wasn’t just a quick prayer over breakfast before rushing out to work, as it is for many of us. (But be assured that “a quick prayer” is better than no prayer at all!)

But then that phrase in the middle of the verses today is very important too. “He was a man just like us”! There is no difference between Elijah and you or me, we can do what he did if we choose to be righteous and to pray earnestly. Let’s do it today.

Action

Pray for the Lord to show you anything he wants you to pray earnestly about today. Let Him put His prayer topics on your heart, and then pray with expectation of the answers.

Praise God for the example of Elijah’s life, and for Elisha who followed him and got the double portion (2 Kings 2:9).

Praise Him for others in the past who have changed a nation by their prayers. Give Him praise for those doing the same today.