"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (I Peter 3:12)
In last week's lesson we learned the value of tearful prayer. Yes, tears can communicate our soul's sincerity to God. But they are not to be a bargaining chip with which we coax things from God. As revivalist Leonard Ravenhill once said, "Prayer is not an argument with God to persuade Him to move things our way, but an exercise by which we are enabled by His Spirit to move ourselves His way."
Many of us are familiar with James 5:16, which says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (KJV). This verse seems to imply that effective prayer depends upon fervency. It's fervent prayer that counts—right? Wrong. Many have learned this verse, and then wrongly assumed that unless they are able to emote passion in their praying, their praying doesn't really matter. Never forget this: Fervent prayer is sometimes necessary, but all prayer is important!
The Greek word translated fervent in the verse actually has more to do with God's answer than our prayer—the result, not the cause. The New International Version more accurately says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Our favorite rendering of this verse is the International Children's Bible, New Century Version. It says, "When a good man [or woman] prays, great things happen." Amen!
First Peter 3:12 says, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." It's not so much our fervency as it is our righteousness that moves God to hear and answer our prayer. And it is God who makes us righteous!
The Father is looking today for fervent, righteous people who are full of faith! (Read Ezekiel 22:30.) We cannot make God answer our prayer by screaming at Him, yelling, crying, begging or shouting. But we may do all of those things when the Holy Spirit prays through us with true fervency.
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