James’ teaching on effective prayer categorically mentions the following requirements or conditions if prayer is to be effective.
- faith – no doubts,
- ask for the right things such as wisdom and strength to renounce sin,
- holiness or be without sin,
- repentance,
- persistence,
- humility,
- patience,
- righteousness, and
- intercessory prayer
To read the full text of James’ teaching on effective prayer in the bible, go to the Epistle of James 1:2-8 and 5:13-18.
In this WAEC/WASSCE CRS tutorial for Senior High School students and Nov/Dec WASSCE private candidates, I will show you what you need to say in an essay on a question about James’ teaching on effective prayer.
Remember that this question on what James has to say on the importance of effective prayer in the life of a Christian believer is one of the most repeated in your Christian Religious Studies paper.
So it is wise to take it seriously.
As always, we shall begin our discussion of James’ teaching on effective prayer with a simple definition of the phrase ‘effective prayer’.
Meaning of Effective Prayer
Effective prayer refers to the type of prayer that is good enough to merit a positive answer from God. It is the type of prayer that is accompanied by faith and other important conditions.
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Believers Should Ask for God’s Wisdom
According to James, if anyone lacks wisdom he should pray to God who gives generously and without reproach.
The Conditions for Effective Prayer
James, in his teaching about effective prayer, lays down certain specific conditions that will make prayer get the right response from God.
Holiness and Repentance from Sin
James advises Christians to be holy because God is holy and does not tolerate sin. James admonishes Christians to repent of their sins, confess them to one another and pray for strength to renounce them.
Prayer Must Be Backed By Faith
He further advises Christians not to doubt when praying since God will not answer a prayer from a double-minded person.
James compares anyone who doubts to a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
According to James, any petition made to God must be backed by the belief that God would grant the request.
Persistence in Praying to God
Further, James asks Christians to be persistent in prayer until the Lord answers their requests.
The Need to Ask for the Right Things
Another key condition of effective prayer, according to James, is that Christians should not ask wrongly. They should ask for God’s wisdom and direction.
God, therefore, is glorified when people ask for the right things.
Pray with Humility
Christians must also pray in humility for their prayers to be effective.
Wait Patiently for God’s Answer
James also teaches that when they pray to God, believers should have the patience to depend upon his will and grace.
Righteousness
The teaching of James on effective prayer comes with this important message. The prayer of a righteous man is very powerful.
Elijah’s Example
James illustrates his understanding of what constitutes effective prayer with the example of Elijah. The prophet Elijah was successful when he prayed to God for rain to stop falling for a period of three and a half years.
And, similarly, the rains came down as Elijah requested of God.
The Need for Intercessory Prayer
Finally, James asks that the elders of the church should be called upon to pray for the sick.
Hindrances to Effective Prayer
So why is it difficult for many Christians to make their prayers effective? In other words, what are the hindrances to effective prayer?
We shall end our discussion on James’ teaching on effective prayer with a list of the major obstacles to effective prayer.
- the wrong motives such as selfish, ungodly desires.
- lack of faith
- sinful living and lack of repentance
- refusal to forgive others
- the tendency to quit too soon or lack of persistence
- boastfulness or lack of humility
Final thoughts
What other factors do you think can undermine one’s prayer life?
Are you taking a Christian Religious Studies course in school? Maybe you’re a tutor preparing your students for an upcoming examination on Bible Knowledge or CRS. Either way, make sure to check out these equally useful CRS tutorials before you go.
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