James 5:16-18 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 

Do you have a “powerful and effective” prayer life? When reflecting on how they hope to grow in faith, people often mention prayer. They say they want to pray “more”. James 5 commends we pray more. When in trouble, pray. When sick, call the Elders to pray. When in sin, confess and pray for each other. Pray alone. Pray together. Pray for others. Pray. 

The illustration James provides encourages the believer to pray. Elijah was someone just like us – a human being and a person in relationship with God. He prayed; God answered. The implication, your prayers can also be powerful and effective, like Elijah’s. 

We need your prayers. There are people in trouble, sick, and in sin. They need you to pray. You need our prayers for when you find yourself carrying the same burdens. Our Church needs your prayer. We need you to pray in a spiritual sense the heavens will give rain and the earth will produce its crops.  

This year pray more. Powerful effective prayer is the earnest prayer we actually pray, not the good intentions we fail to act on. Pray more, together. Agree together and encourage one another in prayer. 

• At the start of Lent come to our evening prayer meetings Mon 20 Feb – Fri 24 Feb 7 – 8pm. 
• Sign up for our 40 days of Prayer through the Lent period at https://upbc.org.au/40days/ 
• Join or start a weekly prayer meeting.  
• Join our prayer chain. 

Enjoy, 

Jason 

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash