Elias the Example
James 5:17, 18
James gives examples: Abraham, Rahab, Job, now Elias. Each was totally dependent upon God in the midst of great trial and infirmities of their flesh. Elias was not free from sinful passions, but "he prayed earnestly that it might not rain". The word is "praying he prayed". God stopped and started the rain when Elias asked so that we must acknowledge God alone did it. That is the point. Prayer is effectual, not because we go through the mechanics of praying, but because of the one to whom we pray. It begins when our God works in the believer the prayer of faith so that in prayer we really pray, that is what makes prayer inwrought, fervent, prayer. Then God to whom we pray does as he wills, which is just what he causes us to ask of him. So we see that the prayer worked in a righteous man by the Spirit of God is effectual and avails much because of the power and grace of the LORD our Righteousness. Lord, teach us to pray.