Effective prayer and the God who provides

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

We have a God who answers prayer! History bears it out. If we ask, in Jesus name, in his heart, we will receive it! Health for our bodies, salvation for our souls, wisdom, knowledge and strength all from his almighty hand! Added to James’ example of Elijah, we have Esther who’s own prayers and fasting before God are summed up in her request to the king.

“If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me -- that is my petition -- and the lives of my people -- that is my request.”

The psalmist declares, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side -- let Israel now say -- if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive.” But the Lord was on their side, and is on their side and mine! And yours! Let us rejoice with the psalmist, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

And with James declare, “Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.”

The Israelites in the desert complained of not having meat to eat. God provides them not with the meat of animals, but with the Spirit of Prophesy anointing the elders to prophesy and meet a deeper need.

The Psalmist declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;”

Jesus response to others casting out demons in his name is like that of Moses, “Would that all God’s people were prophets.” Jesus said “For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”

God provides for the deep needs, Jesus commends us to the providing of even the simple needs, a drink of water, a word of encouragement, or a deed of power to the increasing of the faith of his children. (Woe to those who cause them to stumble!)