2. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH Prayer is the privilege of the righteous (saints)! Js. 5:16-18 16. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

3. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH God wants us to pray  Jesus spoke a parable to show men “ought to pray and not to lose heart” – Lk. 18:1  We are to be devoted to prayer – Rom. 12:12  We are to “pray without ceasing” – I Thess. 5:17 The prayers of righteous men still serve as example for us today! (Js. 5:17-18)  Rom. 15:4: The O.T. gives instruction and encouragement for today! The effective prayers of the righteous accomplish much!

4. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH Moses had been timid and fearful (Became a great prophet – Deut. 34:10)  Ex. 3, 4: He offered God several excuses for not going to Egypt.  He was insecure and frightened at going back to Egypt.  But one by one, God removed all excuses and Moses did all he was told. Moses prayed an intercessory prayer for his people (bravely prayed to God)  Ex. 32:9-14: The people committed idolatry with the golden calf and God said He would destroy them and make a new nation out of Moses.  Moses interceded!  Ex. 32:30-32: Moses asked God for forgiveness of the people!

5. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH We are to pray intercessory prayers:  For all the saints – Eph. 6:18 Eph. 6:18 18. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,  For all men – I Tim. 2:1 I Tim. 2:1 1. First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,  For governing officials – I Tim. 2:1-4  For erring children of God – Acts 8:24 (They must still repent!)  For those who confess sins – Js. 5:16 Moses’ prayer saved his people from the wrath of God!

6. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH David, a man after God’s own heart (I Sam. 13:14), acknowledged sin without:  Rationalizing  Justifying  Shifting blame  II Sam. 12:13: When confronted with his sins, he admitted guilt and said, “I have sinned against the Lord.” He acknowledged his sin was against God!  Ps. 51:4: David recognized sin was against God and God is just in judgment.  II Sam. 12:13-14: David was forgiven but he had to bear the consequences!

7. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH Only when we are right in our hearts can we have fellowship with God – Ps. 15: Ps. 15 A psalm of David 1. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? 2. He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. 3. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4. In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5. He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. David acknowledged his sin and prayed to God for forgiveness! David acknowledged his sin and prayed to God for forgiveness! David is example today of a contrite heart (Ps. 51:17), and we must have the same heart to ask God for forgiveness when we sin – I Jn. 1:9

8. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH Elijah prayed for God to intervene in nature – Js. 5:17-18:  I Kings 17:1: Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel into sin (I Kings 16:30). Elijah prayed for the son of the widow of Zarephath – I Kings 17:20-21 Elijah prayed on Mt. Carmel – I Kings 18:36-37  Contest of the false prophets of Baal & Asherah and God of Israel.

9. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH James said he was “a man with a nature like ours” (Js. 5:17) and his prayers accomplished much! Js. 1:6-7 6. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, We need to pray to God with confidence and ask Him for anything! Jn. 14:13-14 13. "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. Elijah confronted a king and a nation, and showed great compassion through prayer! Elijah confronted a king and a nation, and showed great compassion through prayer!

10. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH Daniel was a man of regular prayer – Dan. 6:10-11 He prayed to God when it was illegal!  Dan. 6:16: For his regular schedule of prayer he was cast into the lion’s den!  God protected Daniel from harm – Dan. 6:22  The pagan king acknowledged God! – Dan. 6:25-28 He prayed an intercessory prayer for his people – Dan. 9

11. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH Are we people of regular prayer, regardless of circumstances? Daniel’s unceasing prayers influenced a pagan king to praise God! Daniel’s unceasing prayers influenced a pagan king to praise God!

12. EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS ACCOMPLISHES MUCH God hears and answers our prayers:  I Pet. 3:10-12: God hears the prayers of the righteous!  I Jn. 5:14: God hears us (if ask according to His will) No reason not to pray! Do you pray as you should, and as often as you should?

13. “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)