What a fabulous season. Lights, food, parties, decorations, shopping, food, laughter, fires in the fireplace, food, cookies, Christmas carols, and bright-eyed children. I know not everyone sees the Holidays this way. For some it is a lonely, depressing time, a reminder of loss and yester-years. If you are in this latter group, would you zip me an email- I'd like to pray for you specifically that the Christ Child would warm your heart and your spirit and meet the longing of your heart in a way that only HE can.
James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (ESV). The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (NKJV). The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (NIV). The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (Amplified).
Points to Ponder
I often say and am reminded personally that prayer is a great gift. As my children grew to adulthood and less and less was within my "control," I grew to understand more and more that prayer is no small thing. I have learned to pray more in faith than in fear, but sometimes it is a mixture of both.
Can you classify your prayer life as fervent? Passionate? Earnest? I'm not saying that wimpy prayers don't get answered, because God hears our hearts; some prayers don't even pass our lips and God sends the answer. Prayers of faith, believing in the One that hears and has the power to answer to change circumstances and people. That is the One we pray to. He hears. He delights in giving good things to His children. He always, always, always is accomplishing His greatest glory and our greatest good.
So pray. Pray believing. Pray in faith. Pray for great things. Pray for impossible things. Pray that God be glorified. Pray because your prayers may be the very means by which God desires to accomplish His plans and purposes.
Have a great weekend. Take time to rest body, mind and spirit.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.
Footnotes:
a. James 5:16 Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power
Cross references:
A. James 5:16 : Acts 19:18
B. James 5:16 : Heb 12:13
C. James 5:16 : Gen 18:23-32; 20:17; Num 11:2; 1 Kgs 13:6; 17:22; 2 Kgs 4:33; 19:15-20; 20:2-5; Job 42:8; Prov 15:29
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