James 5:14-16 (KJV)
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

This verse has been in my mind much of late. I want my prayer life to be effectual and fervent. More, I want it to avail much. As I have considered it lately it seemed to be that the verse sounded redundant. Of course effectual prayer would avail or accomplish much.

There are a few things to keep in consideration:
This is especially associated with praying for the sick.
There is likely fewer times in our lives when we have motivation for fervent prayer than for a sick loved one. It is both proper and Biblical for us to pray for the ill and to do so with fervency.

I do not believe it only applies to those prayers, however, because the example given to prove it has to do with praying for rain, not healing of the sick.

The Greek word that is translated “effectual fervent” is apparently one word. The Anglicized version of the word is, “energized.” In other words, the energized prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This hearkens us back to,

Romans 8:26 (KJV)
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The question arises, “Where does the fervency of this prayer originate?” and the obvious biblical answer is, “From the Holy Spirit.” Effectual fervent praying is not my getting worked up in prayer. Effectual fervent praying is my praying in the power and in the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit. This prayer would be biblically based, led of the Spirit of God and would, in fact, avail much.

We may return to our example of Elias.
The references are to 1 Kings 17:1 and to 1 Kings 18:42-45. In neither case is the word prayer found, though the passage in 1 Kings 18 certainly looks like prayer. What can be inferred is that Elijah’s prayer was not “worked up.” Rather, he was confident in the answer because it was directed of the Holy Spirit.

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James 5:14-16 (KJV) Fervent Prayer

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