0672. 657. Prayer’s Effectiveness

657. Prayer’s Effectiveness

“The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working” (Jas_5:16).

1. Prayer accomplishes things, as Elijah demonstrated in obtaining the needed rain—Jas_5:17.

2. Prayer concentrates the mind upon a given object, as Nehemiah illustrates when he repaired the wall in the face of the opposition against him—Neh_4:9.

3. Prayer cleanses the heart and life, as David experienced, when he prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psa_51:10).

4. Prayer enables the witness to go forward with renewed courage, as is seen in the early Christians, who prayed they might with all boldness preach the Word—Act_4:29.

5. Prayer is the soul of revival, as the Psalmist recognised, when he pleaded that God would “Quicken” (revive) “me according to Thy Word” (Psa_119:154).

6. Prayer is one of the weapons which is a part of the Christian’s armour—”all-prayer” (Eph_6:18).

Prayer is, as Matthew Henry says: “The key of the morning, and the lock of the evening.”

By: DR. F. E. MARSH