Text- James 5:16 – “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]”
There is a common saying that “We never stand taller than when we kneel down before God”.
As much as this looks like an oxymoron and one of those many cliché statements, it is nothing short of the absolute truth! Really, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
You see, a whole lot of thing happens when we pray than we can ever realize. In the course of this series, we have talked about three things that happen when we pray: angels are released on assignment, the atmosphere is changed, and the heavens open.
Yesterday we saw the experience of Jesus in Luke 3:21 when He was baptized in Jordan. As He was praying, the heavens were open. But then, this was not the only thing that happened. Luke 3:22 goes on to tell us that “the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove”
Another thing that happens when we pray is that the Holy Spirit descends. Prayer functions like chemotaxis. It pulls the Holy Spirit in your direction.
Jude 1:20 says “But you, beloved, building up yourself on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost”… When we pray, the Holy Ghost descends to edify us. He comes to help us build up our character on the foundation of our most holy faith.
Jesus said in John 16:8, that when the Holy Spirit comes, “He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement”. That is why you discover that your prayer time is usually undernoted by a ‘silent’ reflection on your lifestyle and character.
So when next you start praying, and you suddenly begin to feel guilty about something wrong that you did (which you may not even have noticed or realized earlier), repent of it and be glad because that is a sure sign that your prayer is effectual! It shows that the Holy Ghost has indeed descended, so repent and enjoy your fellowship with Him.
Also, there is a kind of boldness that comes upon your spirit when you fellowship with the Holy Spirit through prayer. It was with that boldness that Peter spoke on the day of Pentecost and three thousand souls came to the Lord (Acts 2:14-41)
Finally, when the Holy Spirit descends, the power of the most high overshadows you. That was what happened to Mary in Luke 1:35 “The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the most high shall overshadow you…”
The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus empowered Him for His ministry and a lifetime of service towards God. The same happened at the upper room on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples.
Beloved, know this for sure. When you pray, the Holy Ghost descends. When the Holy Ghost descends, He convicts you of sin, of righteousness and of judgement in order to build up your character on the foundation of your most holy faith; He also makes you bold and empowers you for ministry and a lifetime of service towards God.
PRAYER
Father, pour upon me the spirit of grace and supplications. Help me to wholly trust in you as you produce wonderful results through my prayers in Jesus Name.