READ IT ALOUD: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

PONDER IT PRAYERFULLY: In a previous devotion almost a year ago, we spoke about the huge difference one human being can make by simply taking the time to pray. Many times we’re told about the power of prayer and we almost begin to idolize prayer. Prayer is powerful not because of the activity itself or the person praying, but rather because of the One being prayed to.

We shouldn’t pray superstitiously. There is no need to change your voice when you pray so that you can sound like your pastor. You don’t even have to use King James English and impressive vocabulary. You don’t have to repeat some words like “My God” after every five words. It is wrong to believe that the louder we pray, the more powerful our prayers are. God is closer than our thoughts and will hear us even if we whisper. Prayer is communication between Father and child. Most of us do not shout at our earthly fathers and punch the air during normal conversation, nor do we recite memorized prayers or read things from manuals when we are speaking to them from the heart. Sometimes, when we are in pain or in some unusual circumstance, we may raise our voices to call their attention to us. Prayer, in the same way, should be natural and not forced. The Lord’s prayer, while there is nothing wrong with reciting it, is a guide.

We don’t even have to close our eyes! As much as this can be a means of preventing distraction, and can even sometimes be the result of deep meditation, it is not a must. Jesus lifted up His eyes toward heaven (not the sky!) when He prayed (see John 17:1 for an example). In other words, He took His eyes off the things of this world and placed His focus where His Father was.

What is this “much” that prayer avails (makes available)? Communion with God. Healing. Wisdom. Overcoming sin, temptation and enemies. Forgiveness! Healing. Deliverance. Prayer changes things.

BE A DOER (JAMES 1:22): God sees it when we are putting on airs. He knows our thoughts and our ways and expects us to come to Him as children because when we receive Christ, He adopts us. We should be more “real” with God than we are with anyone else. He knows us better than we know ourselves. This should not scare us; instead, it should make us eager to run to Him and speak to Him as many times as we can.

HIDE IT IN YOUR HEART (PSALM 119:11): And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 5:5-7).

PRAY IT PERSONALLY: Father, thank You for a new week. Please search my heart and help me to remember that You know all things. As I walk with You from now on, let me be “real” before You and let me look forward to speaking to and hearing from You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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