James tells us that a prayer that saves the sick will be a prayer that is petitioned through great faith in their God, and who believe His Word, therefore, these believers in Christ know that whatever they ask in His name it will certainly be answered. There are many prayers offered today that do not show any evidence of faith that they will come to pass. Those kind of prayers are lifeless and carry no weight of force or power to do anything other than sound religious in the hearing. But the prayer of faith will connect you to the source of divine medicine that will raise them up. A person who prays with the God kind of faith will also carry a restorative divine atmosphere about them that even where men have sinned, when these believers pray in faith, even the sinner shall be forgiven because of their godly influence.

 

There is another point that I wish to make within these life changing Words found in the book of James that fails to be actively seen in most churches today. What is it that I am referring to? The ability to confess your faults one to another. In today's church there seems to be very little trust that you can confess your faults and have the sense of safety that someone will not use it against you, therefore, people rarely feel that it is safe enough to confess their faults within the church. This is a sad representation by the church of the merciful Father: simply because in His house, and among His children, it ought to be the safest place on earth for people to find help in time of need. I believe this is why many of our churches do not see a great deal of conversions from the various vices that hold people captive, simply, because they do not feel it is safe enough to open up their life and be that vulnerable within the church. Healing has a way of manifesting where two or more can agree together and pray for the results. But, when that fellowship is filled with judgements and persecution to those who fail to meet the standards of that particular group, there can be no true honesty, much less the desire to confess and seek restoration.

 

The next thing that the epistle of James shows us is that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. That word, "effectual" is translated from the word "energios," which is where we get our word for "energy." So, what James is telling us is that when a righteous man prays, it accomplishes much, due to the energy in which he enters upon the petition being made. Sadly, I have witnessed too many of those who prayed with a lackadaisical attitude that was very disconnected to what they were asked to pray about. In other words, they were just going through the religious motions that they similarly apply in the same manner from request to the next. They are uninspiring and quiet frankly, boring and insensitive. Prayers that never die have an energy of the Holy Spirit that emboldens those who believe and speak them, to know that they will reach their intended target with force.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV)
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

We need to understand that unbelief: unplugs us from every Word of promise found within the Bible. As the Word so clearly states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Faith is the product of hearing the Word of God. The apostle Paul often gave thanks to the Lord as he remembered without ceasing those that received the Word of God, not as if it came from men, but of God. The reason he was so thankful, is because it was truth that was working effectually [energios] in those that believed on the Word of God that Paul taught. A prayer that never dies is a prayer that evolves from the Word of God with much energy. If the natural human body has no physical energy, then it has no will power to maintain any consistency to live life with enthusiasm and strength. Just the same, there can be no agreement between God and someone who prays wild ideas that are unscriptural and then expect Him to answer or reward their ignorance. There has to be a reference point of reliability [the Word of God] in order to draw confidence that exerts energy from you to know that it will be done as you have requested. Without a reliable reference point, that man cannot receive from God anything he asks when it is outside the will of God, no matter how much he begs for it. The redeemed of Christ never have to beg God for things, but in fact, they are privileged to speak and see results because of who they are in Christ Jesus. In addition, these believers will be those who are filled with divine energy as they identify themselves entirely with God's faithful Word and pray from its creative power through faith.

 

God cannot locate and answer a person's prayer when it is not Scriptural. Therefore, God is disconnected from that believer's petitions though that person makes their requests repetitiously. It is important that we pray with the wisdom and knowledge of God's Word which reveals His known "will and purposes." A right prayer life that is full of energy from the truth of God's Word, becomes the same as a homing device that is used to locate a signal in an aircraft should it ever become lost. God always answers prayer that is in-line with His Word. When you pray this way there is always a connection or hook-up that will not disappoint the petitioner and recipient. When the Word is working in me, it effects everything I speak, do, or pray. What won't work in you, won't work for you! This is why so many prayers go unanswered among Christians today, because they are not experiencing that Word within their own life personally, much less energized spiritually in order to pray for the results of those things being petitioned in the lives of others.

 

Prayers must be fueled with the "energios" of the Holy Spirit and the "energios" by those who are asking which is ignited through knowing that God has heard them, otherwise, there is no true belief from the petitioner that their prayers will be answered. There has to be a confidence in a "Source" that cannot fail, in order to be energized to pray something through, though the enemy rages with all of his might. Remember, how Moses held his arms up in battle, and each time his arms wearied and slumped downward the enemy prevailed against the armies of Israel. What happened? Aaron and Hur would hold Moses' arms up for him and the armies of the Israelites would prevail against their enemy. Without the "energios" of knowing the will of God and the "energios" of the Holy Spirit, we grow weak and defenseless against our adversary the devil. I want us to look at something further before we close this weeks devotional. The book of Daniel gives us some clear direction when it comes to praying prayers that never die. There was a decree made in writing by a king named Darius that required that if any man petition of any God or man for 30 days except unto the king, they would be cast into the den of lions. This was initiated by those who despised the excellence of Daniel's spirit and were jealous of his relationship with the king, so they devised a plan that they might find cause against him concerning the law of his God and have him killed.

 

Daniel 6:10-11 (KJV)
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 

There are many times in life that we ignorantly and sometimes stubbornly bind ourselves to things that are essentially destructive to our lives. However, when we bind ourselves to an intimate relationship with the living God, we will not even consider or acknowledge the wicked decrees of those around us; and we continually remain steadfast in our faith, its here that there will be a force of energy to help us stand through prayer against the trickery of the devil and his devices. Daniel did not change his devotion to his God because of the majority who pressured him to do so by this evil decree. I will tell you a truth that will prove to be right if you will allow it to. When you pray in faith together with the energy of your spirit, it will get you into all kinds of trouble because of your adversary the devil who wishes to destroy you; but if that same fervent prayer of faith is steadfast and unmovable it will get you out of that trouble with enormous victory. Darius the king of the Medianites, regarded Daniel as a close friend and was displeased with the decree by which he was tricked into signing. As a matter of fact, king Darius sought how he might deliver Daniel from this peril by which his own hand had sealed against him. Therefore, because a decree or statue which a king establishes cannot be changed there was little he could do.

 

Daniel 6:16 (KJV)
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 

Its obvious that king Darius knew by Daniel's continual devotion and commitment unto his God that he would be delivered out of this predicament; for he had witnessed too many times where Daniel's God had revealed dreams and brought forth their interpretations that only a God could reveal. The king went back to his palace and past the night fasting, nor did he allow any music to be played before him as he waited out the night on behalf of Daniel. When early morning arrived the king quickly ran to see the outcome of Daniel.

 

Daniel 6:20-22 (KJV)
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 

God dispatches His angels on behalf of those who pray the prayer of faith in a God that cannot fail you. This is a prayer that says I know without a doubt that my God shall redeem me from all my adversaries. It's a prayer that even though you are brought in chains into captivity, this kind of prayer will keep you from collapsing beneath the enemies devices and all his pressures. In the presence of God's angels that have been dispatched on your behalf because of your prayers and relationship with Him: every destructive circumstance assailed against you is neutralized. When we speak through an attitude of prayer that is birthed out of the Word of God and refuse to quit on it, it will never fall short of its target. Sadly, there are many who will quit on what they were believing for and miss out on their miracle. Prayers of a righteous man can never die. They continue to reach from generation to generation. Jesus prayed for us over 2000 years ago and His Words are still living today, even for those babies who are just now making their entrance into this world.                 

 

John 17:8-21 (KJV)
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  

 

When you pray, believe that you receive, and know that your prayers are heard by the Lord who cares for you. Amen!