The verse in James 5:16 states, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” This verse indicates that the prayers of righteous people have great effectiveness and impact. But what exactly does it mean? Here is an explanation of this verse in its context:
1. The Context of James 5:16
To properly understand this verse, we need to look at the surrounding context in James 5. In this chapter, James is giving exhortations to believers, calling them to patience in suffering (verse 7-11), integrity in speech (verse 12), prayer in affliction (verse 13-18), and care for those wandering from the truth (verse 19-20).
Specifically, verses 13-18 focus on the topic of prayer. James instructs those who are suffering to pray (verse 13). Those who are cheerful are told to sing praise (verse 13). Those who are sick are directed to call the elders to pray and anoint them with oil (verse 14). Their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and God will forgive their sins (verse 15). This leads into the key verse 16 about the prayer of a righteous person being powerful and effective.
So the verse on the prayer of the righteous is part of a larger discussion about prayer in times of suffering, sickness, and difficulty. James is encouraging believers to turn to prayer in all circumstances.
2. The Meaning of “Righteous” in this Verse
A key to understanding James 5:16 is the word “righteous.” Who is James referring to when he mentions the “righteous person” whose prayers avail much?
In the Bible, someone who is righteous is not sinless or perfect, but rather someone who has faith in God and seeks to live uprightly according to His word (Deuteronomy 6:25; Proverbs 10:25; Matthew 5:6; Romans 1:17). A righteous person endeavors to do what is right in God’s eyes and repent of their sins when they fall short.
James mentions the righteous person three times in this book (James 5:16, 5:20, 1:20). In the context of James, it refers to genuine followers of Christ who have faith that produces fruit through righteous deeds (James 2:14-26). Their righteous standing is due to Christ’s righteousness imputed to them (Romans 3:21-26).
So when James refers to the “prayer of a righteous person,” he is speaking of believers who are in right relationship with God through faith in Christ, seeking to live godly lives. The prayers James has in mind are coming from faithful followers of Jesus, not sinless perfectionists.
3. The Power and Effectiveness of their Prayers
What does James mean when he says the prayer of the righteous person “availeth much” (KJV) or “has great power” (ESV)? The word translated “availeth” or “power” is the Greek word “ischuo.” It means “to be strong, have power, be of force/avail.”
Specifically, these prayers:
– Have strength and potency to accomplish much
– Avail before God – He hears and answers them
– Can have force and effectiveness in the lives and situations prayed for
– Can accomplish more than the prayers of unrighteous
James is highlighting that the heartfelt prayers of righteous followers of Christ have great significance with God. He moves in response to their earnest petitions offered in faith. There is a mighty dynamic to the prayers of the righteous that do not exist in the prayers of the unrighteous.
4. Examples of Powerful Prayers of the Righteous
The Scriptures give many examples of righteous men and women of faith whose prayers God heard and answered in mighty ways:
– Abraham – His earnest prayers resulted in God sparing Sodom if righteous people were found (Genesis 18:22-33).
– Moses – His prayers led God to spare Israel after the golden calf incident (Deuteronomy 9:18-20,25-29).
– Hannah – She prayed out of anguish for a son, and God heard and answered her (1 Samuel 1:10-18).
– David – As a man after God’s own heart, his prayers were effective before God (1 Samuel 12:23).
– Elijah – The righteous prophet prayed earnestly over a dead child, and God revived the child (1 Kings 17:17-24).
– Hezekiah – When facing doom, he prayed and God added 15 years to his life (2 Kings 20:1-6).
– Nehemiah – His prayers for favor resulted in the king allowing him to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4-11, 2:1-8).
The common thread is that these faithful followers of God poured out their hearts to Him in prayer, and He graciously responded. The righteous take hold of God’s will, wisdom, and promises through persistent and believing prayer.
5. Keys to Impactful Prayer
If the sincere prayers of the righteous in Christ avail much, what are some of the keys that make their prayers effective and powerful? Consider the following:
– Righteous Living – Seeking to obey God’s word and walk uprightly (Psalms 15, 24:3-6, 1 Peter 3:12).
– Faith – Believing God hears and can answer prayer (Matthew 21:22; James 1:6).
– According to God’s Will – Praying requests aligned with God’s will as revealed in Scripture (1 John 5:14-15).
– Persistence – Continuing steadfastly in prayer rather than giving up (Luke 18:1-8).
– With Repentance – Bringing any known sins before God to maintain fellowship with Him (Psalm 66:18).
– In Jesus’ Name – Praying requests based on Jesus’ will, glory, merit (John 14:13-14).
– With Forgiveness – Being willing to forgive others as we seek God’s forgiveness (Mark 11:25).
– In the Spirit – Praying with the Spirit’s help, in alignment with His intercession (Romans 8:26-27; Jude 20).
When righteous children of God bring their earnest prayers to their Heavenly Father consistently employing such key principles, they unlock greater effectiveness and power in their praying.
6. God’s Sovereignty in Answering Prayer
While the prayer of the righteous avails much, we must remember God still exercises sovereign wisdom in answering prayer. Meaningful prayer is partnering with God through His Spirit to see His will accomplished on earth (Matthew 6:10).
Though God may not answer in the precise time and way we desire, He will respond according to His higher purposes and glory (Isaiah 55:8-9). But we can trust Him to only give what is best and will grow our Christlike character and faith when we persevere in prayer (Romans 8:28).
The righteous continue praying based on God’s promises with humble submission to the One who sees the full picture. The potency of prayer is not magic but the experience of a caring, faithful Father who delights to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7-11).
7. Prayer Still Requires Action
While God works in response to the prayers of the righteous, prayer does not replace the need for action. After we have prayed according to God’s will, we still need to walk in obedience and employ practical effort.
For example, we should pray for our daily bread but still go to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). We should ask God to bring in a harvest of souls but still go out to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We should request God’s help in overcoming sin but still purpose to put off ungodly practices and put on Christlike virtues (Colossians 3:5-17).
Prayer is not a substitute for godly action but should stir us up towards Spirit-empowered obedience. The righteous couple prayer with actively trusting and obeying the God who answers prayer.
8. Prayer Produces Greater Righteousness
In drawing on the power of prayer, the righteous are made more righteous. As we come to God in persistent and dependent prayer, He molds us to reflect more of Christ’s character. As we pray God’s purposes, our desires align more with His heart.
Times of earnest prayer can lead to fresh conviction of sin by the Spirit that motivates us toward greater holiness (Psalm 139:23-24). By beholding God’s glory in prayer, we are transformed to live more righteously (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Prayer and righteous living have a symbiotic relationship. Righteousness lays the groundwork for powerful praying. But prayer also fuels greater righteousness in the believer. These spiritual disciplines stoke each other in the lives of faithful followers of Christ.
9. Prayer Cultivates Deeper Fellowship with God
At its core, prayer is intimate communion with the living God. When the righteous turn to God in dependent and sincere prayer according to His will, it deepens their walk with the Lord.
Through prayer we experience God’s presence (Psalms 16:11, 91:1). The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf drawing us closer to the Father (Romans 8:26-27). We obtain mercy and find grace to help us grow (Hebrews 4:16). Heartfelt prayer makes the love of God more experiential (1 John 4:16).
Like a dear friend, God listens to the cares and concerns of His beloved children as they come before Him. He assures them no need is too small for His notice or care if they trust Him. This strengthens their bond with their Heavenly Father who sees all and knows all.
In this way, the practice of righteous prayer cultivates greater intimacy with God Himself. It ushers the sincere petitioner into the depths of relationship with their Creator.
10. Prayer Affects Spiritual Forces and God’s Kingdom Purposes
When reflecting on James 5:16, we also should remember that prayer engages in the broader spiritual battle between God’s kingdom and the powers of darkness seeking to thwart His purposes. Sincere and persistent prayer unleashes God’s power to further His redemptive plan.
Because prayer is not merely talking to God but also talking with God, He sometimes calls us through prayer to partner with Him against spiritual hosts bent on evil. Our prayers authorize and empower heavenly forces to answer God’s call to do battle in response (Psalm 149:6-9). Through prayer God’s people play a role in the advance of His Kingdom.
So prayer is potent not just because it is talking to God, but because He chooses to act through prayer to manifest His Kingdom and overcome the devil’s schemes. The Lord deploys mighty angel armies in response to the prayers of the righteous for His glory and purposes.
Conclusion
In summary, James 5:16 reminds us that righteous believers who walk in fellowship with God have the amazing privilege of tapping into divine power through prayer. Though God is sovereign, He has chosen to work through the prayers of His righteous children who call upon Him in faith according to His will. As we come reverently and persistently to our Heavenly Father through Christ, we can expect Him to hear and respond for our good and His glory. This moves us to pursue intimate communion with God through greater righteousness, faith, and prayer.