by Pastor JR Cuevas

James 5:16
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

It’s never a surprise when I find myself having to persevere through much hardship, both internally and externally. A fellow pastor once said, “Anytime you choose to live a godly life, there will be resistance.” The reality of spiritual warfare has never come down upon me so heavily as it has in the past year. As I came back a month of being away from church, hoping that things would be better, I found that the enemy had only intensified his attacks on my life and in the lives of others. Internally, I began to struggle with depression, anxiety, and impatience. Externally, I realized that no amount of rest could properly gear me to face the opposition of those who persecuted me. But that was solely the turmoil taking place in my life. Need I forget that a same type of war was taking place in the lives of all of those around me. As I found myself struggling in my battling of my own fleshy lusts and Satan’s attacks on me personally, I realized that those around me were struggling in very much the same way. Not only was I burdened with my trials, but I began to be burdened with the trials of others whom I genuinely loved and cared for. And then there was a greater reality that I faced – the reality that I was not qualified to take upon the battle in terms of my own strength, endurance, and wisdom. I was confronted with so many situations that I knew I was incapable of handling. In my own pride and anxiety, I wanted to solve them quickly, but soberly I realized that I simply could not. I began to ask myself why God would place me in such situations where I felt so helpless and on the brink of quitting. In the midst of the most difficult time of my life, why did He allow for the lives of all those around me to be difficult as well? Desprate but drowning, I abandoned all other methods and resorted to the very first thing I did as a follower of Christ: I prayed. I prayed again the day after, and the day after that. It was then that it dawned on me why God has purposely made me so helpless; it was so that instead of pridefully relying on myself to solve my problems and the problems of others, I would instead approach him boldly, joyfully, confidently, reverently, and regularly in prayer.

It is not only an understatement that prayer is an underrated and misunderstood discipline in the Christian life; it is simply unfortunate. So many go to prayer as the last resort – when things are not working. In my life at least, the tendency had always been to try and solve the problem first with all of the wisdom and might that I had, and then to pray if things still went wrong after all of my methods were exhausted. Though I tried to pray without ceasing, or at least adopt an attitude of prayer, I quickly realized that prayer had been designated to a mere formality – one that I did in order to legalistically prove myself a disciplined man of God. Deep down in my heart, I still believed that I was capable of solving problem on my own, though I prayed for the sake of integrity. I didn’t pray out of joy, nor did I pray out of humility. Oh how unfortunate I am, and how unfortunate many are who neglect prayer, for prayer is not only necessary in the Christian life; it is the primary discipline in the Christian life. A man who seeks God’s own heart is synonymous to a man who prays.

Oh how we must pray, for it indicates the presence of the humility that God so desires in His children. How a lack of prayer is a fiery display of pride. How dare one think that he can handle all spiritual circumstances and pursue all godliness without the help of God? How dare one think that in himself, he is capable of enduring anything apart from Christ to do good works. How dare one believe that his wisdom, he is capable of solving any problem of himself and others without the Spirit’s illumination of his mind. It is both proud and foolish for one to even dare think that He can survive for a second apart from the pesence and power of God. And it is even more foolish and prideful to, from the same mindset, attempt to help others. Oh how God places us in circumstances in which we soberly comprehend our weakness so that we can petition for Him. My friend, spiritual regeneration and sanctification are miracles; only God can perform them. Blessed is the man who asks God to perform these things in himself and in people, for it indicates a humility of mind. Oh how God is absolutely glorified when one relies on His power instead of anything else’s to expand His kingdom.

As Christians, we must realize that our primary responsibility to others is not to counsel, nor is it to encourage, nor is it to admonish, nor is it to serve. As Christians, our primary ministry to others is to pray for them. As a pastor, I could one day be called away from pastoral ministry, and thus would no longer be called to preach, teach, shepherd, or counsel. But as a Christian, I will never be called away from the responsibility to pray for those whom I love. In the same way that every human being must eat to stay alive physically, every Christian must pray to stay alive spiritually. The greatest ministry that one could do for his fellow brethren who are struggling is to fervently ask God for help. It follows that it is unloving to, when burdened with the struggles of others, attempt to handle it himself without asking God. Brother, do not deny those whom you love the power of God. His power is mightier than yours, His wisdom greater than yours. Discipline yourself to rely on God, and not on your own strength, to sustain others. Disciple yourself to rely on God, and not on your own wisdom, to counsel others. He is greater than you; let His glory be displayed. There are many good things that one can do for another. But the best thing he can do is pray.

Realize the privilege of prayer; oh how much joy you will receive when you realize that God loves to answer good prayers. If evil men know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more willing will God be to send His Holy Spirit to those who ask? Therefore, ask! He saved you for that purpose – He saved you so that you could pray to Him. He hears you, and He delights in answering your prayers that glorify Him. Pray, my friend. Pray! Do it delightfully; do it unceasingly. For the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.