By the grace of God I have been involved in the ministry of prayer for a long time.  I have come a long way from where I began and yet I know I still have much to learn.  When I first started earnestly seeking to pray effective prayers of a righteous man that would accomplish much, (James 5:16c) Holy Spirit, the Word of God and some very special mentors became my teachers.
Notice that the verse did not indicate that eloquent or long prayers would accomplish much.  It said, effective prayers of a righteous man would accomplish much.

Well, to become righteous is something that seemed impossible, after all doesn’t the Word says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?  (Romans 3:23) Yet His Word clearly indicates for prayers to be effective I have to be “righteous”.   I learned that my righteousness comes only by Christ in me.  My righteousness would come because of the blood of the Lamb of God.  He is my righteousness.   So when we pray let us put on the righteousness of Christ.  (See Is. 61:10; Philippians 3:8-9)

Then God gave me an interesting picture.  I pictured a well, with a bucket resting on the side waiting for me to let it down for filling.  As I let it down up came what looked like liquid gold.  I could take it all in, but alas, once that was consumed there was more waiting for me.  I just had to once again let down the bucket and allow the Lord to fill me up.  To walk into the fullness of this verse in James means drinking from a well that will never run dry.  It has been an amazing journey drinking from the well of His Word and a very special and personal relationship with our God.

We are living in challenging times.  But, dear ones, I assure you, when God does great things He uses His people and He responds to their prayers.  We can partner where God is longing to do a work.  When we humble ourselves and submit to the Lordship of Jesus a doorway of opportunity opens to us.  Then with the help of the one Jesus sent to be our helper, Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, we can pray powerful prayers that will accomplish much.  We are a covenant people.  We are in a covenant relationship with our God who is our Creator, our Savior, our Comforter, our Provider, our Healer, our Friend, and our Lord.  Staked to Him we will accomplish much.  With God all things are possible. (Mark 10:27)

May our prayer lives go to a new level and by His grace may we see our prayers accomplish much for His glory and the good of those we love.  May His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth, right where we live, as it is in heaven.

Be richly blessed in Jesus precious name,

Patricia L. Wenzel
Women of Character Graduate