Effectual and Fervent...

James 5:16b says, "The effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much."   This scripture came to mind the other day and then it was sent to me in my email this morning from a friend.  So, I thought I'd look it up and study it a little bit.

Plain and simple, the prayers of the righteous produce results.  They prayers that are filled with passion.  They prayers that are powerfully charged.  Why?  Because of their dedication to God.  Because they hold a high standard of principles of right and wrong in their lives.  Their hearts of filled with good characteristics.  And, the Fruit of the Spirit are prevalent in their lives. 

This may sound all nice and "easy".  But, to maintain all these good characteristic in our lives takes consistency and dedication. We are human and we will slip and fall sometimes.  But,  like Micah 7:8 says, when we fall we will get back up again.   Toby Mac sings a song along those lines.

"We lose our way,
We get back up again
It's never too late to get back up again,
One day you will shine again,
You may be knocked down,
But not out forever,
Lose our way,
We get back up again,
So get up, get up,
You gonna shine again,
Never too late to get back up again,
You may be knocked down,
But not out forever."

We may stumble and fall.  We may feel likes we have been knocked down.  But we can, with the help of God, get back up again and shine.  

I am so thankful for promises like these.  I want to strive to have a righteous lifestyle...filled with good characteristics.  I want my prayers to make a difference.  Not so that I can "look big"...but that HE may be glorified and lifted up for the great and mighty things He can do.  My desire is to make a difference in the lives of others.  So, Jesus, help me get back when I fall and shine again brightly for you.  Use me to make a difference for You!