Prayer of a Righteous Man
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/19/2025
Foundation Scriptures:
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:16-18 KJV
1. A Man of Like Passions.
a. Elijah was a man of like passions.
b. Meaning that he was a person, like anyone else.
c. James 5:17a AMPC –– Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; …
d. James 5:17b AMPC –– …and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months.
e. Elijah prayed fervently.
f. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
g. James 5:16b AMPC –– The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
h. An effectual fervent prayer is a prayer that is active, efficient, mighty, operating and working, and bringing about a result.
i. It is a prayer that is prayed by, and through, divine energy.
j. In other words, a prayer that is inspired and empowered by the Holy Ghost.
k. If Elijah can pray and see powerful results, then so can we.
2. Holy Ghost Power.
a. Acts 1:8 AMPC –– But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
b. You will become witnesses—demonstrators of Holy Ghost power—in every aspect of life.
3. The Prayers of the Righteous.
a. Psalms 34:15 KJV –– The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
b. 1 Peter 3:12 KJV –– For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
c. The Lord’s ears are open and attentive to the prayers of the righteous.
d. John 15:7 KJV –– If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
e. The AMPC version says: If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] …
f. …and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, …
g. …ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
4. Prayer Focus.
a. This is what we are praying about for the 31 days of January.
b. Every one of us made a list.
c. Including praying over our city, state, and nation.
d. For the Nation: another great, spiritual awakening.
e. Souls; the harvest.
f. For governments of nations.
g. Business; finances; favor and opportunities.
h. The Church—the harvest; souls; increase; acceleration.
5. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
a. The Ancient of Days.
b. Alpha and Omega.
c. Beginning and the End.
d. The First and the Last—which was and is and is to come.
e. Jehovah Jireh.
f. El Shaddai.
6. Jesus.
a. Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus.
b. Our Savior.
c. Redeemer.
d. Lord.
e. King of kings.
f. Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).
g. Fairest of ten thousand.
h. The Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the valleys (Song of Solomon 2:1).
7. The Holy Spirit.
a. Thank you, Lord, for sending the mighty Holy Spirit.
b. Our Helper.
c. Counselor.
d. Comforter.
e. Teacher.
f. Guide.
g. Advocate.
h. Intercessor.
i. Standby.
j. Strengthener.
8. How Many Righteous Are in the House Today?
a. One will chase a thousand to flight and two will put ten thousand to flight—when the Lord is on their side (Deut. 32:30).