The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).

When I’m driving, I know that the car will speed up when I hit the gas pedal. When I hit the brake, I know that it’s going to slow down. I don’t worry about whether or not it’s going to work, I just know; the gas pedal and brake will both change the way my car is moving.

In life, we often encounter situations where we know a change is needed. What is our best course of action in such times? The answer is prayer. Prayer always changes things. We often think of prayer as communication, as conversation, or as an activity that Christians are supposed to do. These things are all very true, but one aspect of prayer that we must not neglect is that prayer contains tremendous power and brings transformation to our every day lives!

The above verse says that the effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much. That means it accomplishes a great work, or brings about mighty change! Notice that the prayers must be effectual and fervent. This means we cannot just offer one weak prayer and expect it to instantly be answered, but we must pray persistently and passionately. And if we do, our prayer will help bring about God’s will on earth.

After this verse is the story of Elijah. James recounts the time that Elijah fervently prayed that the rains may come and end the drought in the land of Israel. It was Elijah’s prayers that had brought the drought (as an instrument of God’s judgment), and it was now his prayers that would bring the rain. Elijah prayed seven times before he saw the first cloud, but shortly after the skies opened up and there was a great rain. His prayer changed even the weather around him.

So make sure your prayers always have a purpose. Pray with a change in mind, something you are asking God to do on the behalf of you and His people. Our prayers can change lives, circumstances, and even nations. So keep on praying, and God Himself will bring about the change.