Lesson 273: The Prayer of a Righteous Man

Chaplain William McKiven

The Prayer of a Righteous Man

James 5:16: "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" Righteous: acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin.

"Help me to be, to think, to act what is right because it is right; make me truthful, honest, and honourable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honour and without thought of reward to me." Robert Edward Lee

This prayer of General Lee is familiar to many of us, but how many have really thought about the humbleness and honesty that goes into this prayer? General Lee was a man of profound faith and much humility and knowing this we can see that he was not seeking God's approval of his own personal ideas of truth, honesty and honour, but he was asking God to help him think righteously and Godly. It is indeed a bold and courageous prayer. When we ask God to make us see His way then we've got to see just how sinful we really are and he knew this well. When told that the Chaplains were praying for him he replied with tears in his eyes, "I sincerely thank you for that, and I can only say that I am a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone, and that I need all the prayers you can offer for me."

The Bible is full of examples of men following their own way. In the Book of Judges it is stated that "... every man did that which was right in his own eyes." There are many examples of the disaster that followed such thinking. In our own society we are taught to pursue our own way and we can see the results of our actions. Our culture is coarse and ungodly, but as long as we have breath in us it is not too late. We, the followers of Christ, must lead the way and set the example. In order for us to lead there are some things we have to do. We have to humble ourselves before an Almighty and Just God and confess our own sins and ask Him to grant us repentance. To repent is to turn completely around and set a different course in our lives. Psalm 119:133 says, "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." Romans 6:12 states, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." We have been given victory over sin and ungodliness, we are victorious in Christ Jesus, but some act as though we are defeated.

The definition of righteousness above came from a dictionary, but true righteousness comes from God. His Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and righteousness, but we must be willing to yield to His leadership. We are free from sin and guilt in Christ Jesus. Our prayers avail much when we are in the will of God and we are walking in the Spirit. To be truly humble is to know that, apart from God, we are nothing.

Join with me this day and let's glorify God in every word and deed. Let us turn to God and pray that He will, "Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me : for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25:4-5 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

The gospel is indeed good news because it sets us free from sin and death and also the guilt and shame that wrecks our lives. We will never be completely free of hardship and trials in this life, but we know that if we follow Christ there is a greater life to come. Don't be defeated, be victorious in Christ! Grace and peace in the Name of Jesus, William McKiven, the Celtic Chaplain