James 5:16
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Believing in Jesus is what makes a person righteous. (Romans 3:22) So it’s the earnest (sincere & faithful) prayer of a Believer James is speaking of here. Not a Believer plus some other stunt they can do or level they’ve unlocked. Just a Jesus following Believer.
The power lies in the One to whom we pray! God is amazing and imaginative (1Corinthians 2:9). He can find solutions we never knew existed. He can change hearts and ways of thinking. He can do things people just can’t do. He has more power (abilities and ways) to meet my needs better than anyone who has helped me in the past like my parents or my husband. As wonderful as they are, God’s help and solutions are a million times more effective.
And the wonderful results produced is God answering my prayers! He gives me what I ask (John 14:14) because I am a Believer and I’m not asking for things that break any of God’s laws.
Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! Look at that exclamation point; I didn’t put it there!
Jesus also said, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) God answers me in the affirmative all the time. He takes care of the problem, or he changes my heart about it.
This is the private, intimate, personal attention Believers receive when we pray. We’re not just throwing words into the wind. No, Believers see God’s power and wonderful results because Jesus put us in a position to be able to interact with him and tell him what’s on our minds.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for your kind attention you give to me everyday. Thank you for the power of prayer that can not only change my circumstances but also my heart. Prayer changes me. You tell me to ask you and then you show me and give me what it is I really and actually need. Perfect. You are perfect for me. I love you and thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.