A formally trained Bible scholar, I’m not; I’m just a reader, observer, and learner of scripture and current events. I’m not a prophet or a seer; I’m just fascinated to view the news through the lens of scripture. I’m not a date setter; I’m just a season-watcher. And I’m thrilled when I see new archeological discoveries that offer even more physical proof of the Bible’s veracity.

 

That said, I’m extremely interested to see current news stories reporting that the three major religions of the world—Judaism, Islam, and Christianity—are all expecting their Messiahs to appear soon.

 

http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/75707/cataclysmic-star-nibiru-causing-extreme-weather-events-rabbi/#pqoDgBvV0e3za1o5.97

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/03/isil-prepares-for-apocalyptic-showdown-of-muslim-and-christian-a/

 

http://christinprophecy.org/articles/jesus-is-coming-back-very-soon/

 

It appears that there’s a major criss-cross collision coming; and it’s an excellent time to know that what you choose to believe is, indeed, the truth:

 

 

For false messiahs and false prophets

 

will rise up and perform great signs and wonders

 

so as to deceive,

 

if possible,

 

even God’s chosen ones.

Matthew 24:24

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

 

“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,

 

a firm and tested stone.

 

It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.

 

Whoever believes need never be shaken.

Isaiah 28:16

If you confess with your mouth

 

that Jesus is Lord

 

and believe in your heart

 

that God raised him from the dead,

 

you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

 

 

Amen.

 

 

 

So I’m working to understand this verse better:

 

 

Confess your faults one to another,

 

and pray one for another,

 

that ye may be healed.

 

The effectual fervent prayer

 

of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much.

 

 

(King James’ version of James 5:16—beautiful poetic language that I often have to ponder in order to internalize)

 

Other versions use these words:

 

Powerful

Great power

Supplication

Wonderful results

Can accomplish much

Very powerful

Continual prayer

Heartfelt supplication

Insistent prayer

Very strong

 

I positively don’t want to waste my time praying wimpy limp-along prayers that don’t accomplish much. So I’m striving to be a better pray-er. (perhaps that’s a key; maybe it’s not so much praying better prayers, as it is being a better pray-er)

 

I read in Matthew Henry’s commentary that one needs to be careful to actually pray in prayer. I paused for much thought there. Then caught myself this morning saying words while my focus was really on the pictures I was taking; and I’m pretty certain there’s no such thing as half-hearted effectual fervent prayer.

 

God doesn’t want me to treat his listening presence as if I can contain it on the back burner.

 

And there’s not a cookie cutter design for prayer because God says:

 

 

“When you pray,

 

don’t babble on and on

 

as people of other religions do.

 

They think their prayers are answered

 

merely by repeating their words again and again.

Matthew 6:7

 

 

However, God was so meticulous when he gave his OT worship instructions to Moses that I have to believe some conditions and methods are more effective than others.

 

I asked some friends what they think the verse means:

 

Without ceasing (3 repeats)

With an honest heart.

Takes a lot of intentionality to be constantly aware of God’s presence during prayer.

Pray with conviction.

Just pray!

Be consistent.

Sometimes pray with a broken heart.

Desperate.

Honest.

Like you are on fire and you just want to burn hotter and you don’t want to stop or even have a slow down—if that makes sense.

Pray believing and often.

 

I even listened to one of Dr. David Gibbs, Jr.’s sermons on prayer:

 

Get clean

Be righteous & clean

Be faithful to pray

Expect answers

Expect God to do the impossible

 

My personal takeaway:

Lord,

 

please teach me how

 

to be a pray-er

 

who prays fervent

 

effectual prayers

 

that avail much.

 

Amen