Fervent Prayer

“The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much.”   James 5:16 KJV

I love words, especially strong words.  That is why when I read this verse; the word “Fervent” stood out to me.  I wanted to know why the word fervent was used in this verse about prayer and why it was important.

Let’s look at this verse with fervent eyes.  The word fervent means “enthusiastic.”  Some of the synonyms of fervent include: zealous, passionate, and intense. 

One of my biggest goals for this year is to have a stronger, deeper, more effectual prayer life.  I am tired of keeping my prayers on the surface, glossing over the deep issues which are festering in my life and affecting my family.  I am learning what it means to have an effectual fervent prayer life.  Are you in?

I love it when my friend Tina and I get together.  I know when we talk, we can go deep and connect at a heart level every time.  We don’t know the meaning of “idle chit-chat” everything we talk about is discussed with zeal, passion, and intensity.  It could be our meal plan for the week or a teenager that went down the wrong path; we talk deeply about all of it.

That is also how my discussions with God are. I can go deep with Him, and I connect instantly. I can pray fervently about anything; it does not matter if I am praying about my ice maker not working or a son who is struggling with life choices.    

If we go back a few verses in James to verse 13, we can see James encourages us to pray in all circumstances, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. What about cheerfulness? Or sickness? Or sin?  Let him pray.” He is showing us all prayer matters and all prayer is effective.  God hears his people and acts on our behalf.

God is the author of all words, and I  believe there are deep meanings and intent for every word in His book. The fact the term fervent is used in this context is not a mistake.  It is an encouragement to us to say when a man prays an effectual fervent prayer, a prayer that is zealous, intense, or passionate; it has great power.

What will your fervent prayers be about this week?  How can you go deeper in your prayer life? Let me pray for us that we would have a more effectual fervent prayer life.

Heavenly Father, we love our time with you, and we ask for your forgiveness for the times we gloss over the deeper issues in our path.  Please Lord, help us in our weakness to become influential in our voice to ask with a boldness that which you have laid on our hearts to pray with zealous passion.  Lord, hear my prayers.  Amen