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by Sherry Chamblee

James 5:16

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

This verse means a lot to me. I rely on it. But I rely on myself a lot. I tend toward subversive independence, meaning I’ll be a team player, but at the first legitimate chance I get, I’ll veer off toward working on my own. I’d rather be an independent player most of the time.

And in my prayer life I’m much the same way, I’d rather be alone. I tend to act in the belief that my burdens are mine to bear and no one else should be bothered by them. I don’t know, maybe we think that if God answers our prayer by itself, it means God really did care about us? Maybe we think that if my prayer alone stands, then it really means more.

Are we using prayer like a litmus test to prove to us how much God pays attention to us as individuals?

But what if that isn’t how prayer is supposed to work?

What if I’m not made to pray all alone? What if those prayers of others alongside mine are the way prayer is supposed to work?

What if the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is so powerful because it is part of a powerful chain of prayer that acts together?

What if, despite the fact that I like to be alone, it’s not good that I’m alone?

This was illustrated for me just today. I have a burden on my soul, and last night I finally reached out for support from multiple prayer partners. This morning I’m finding my burden lifted. I’m filled not with anxiety but with hope. The lifting of many hands in prayer has brought me closer to God.

Though the burden is exactly the same as it was before, nothing has changed, it is easier to stand here and hold it. In fact, everything has changed because my perspective is different.

I hear others say this sort of thing frequently, but it’s so different when it’s your own story.

So when someone asks you to pray for them, consider it a solemn duty, a powerful thing. Thank you for praying for others when they ask.

Thank you to God for listening and upholding us.

About the Author:

Sherry grew up in various cities around northern and central California. This gave her all sorts of stories that sat and festered in her brain, waiting to be let loose. She eventually went to college in Wisconsin, where she met her equally frenetic husband, Rich. They have six (yes, count them) children, two dogs and a cat, and currently reside in a madhouse in the southern California area. As a family, they enjoy being active in their local church. Sherry spends her time writing when not caring for Granny, the kids, the dogs, the cat and any number of strays in the neighborhood.

Sherry Chamblee can be found at http://www.sherrychamblee.weebly.com Or check out her books at http://www.amazon.com/Sherry-Chamblee/e/B00BA06RJ2/