“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
After reading the above verses, can you say that your prayers “avail much?”
I love good venison—but I doubt I would succeed at hunting a deer if I walked into the woods with the intent of tagging one. Why? Because I haven’t truly studied the habits and behavior of deer as a seasoned hunter has. I can’t just walk into the woods, sit down anywhere, and expect to shoot a buck.
A successful hunter studies the animal: where they bed, how they move, when they feed, and—very importantly—how they respond to wind and scent. A good hunter doesn’t rely on luck; he prepares ahead of time, positions himself carefully, and respects the nature of the animal. If I really wanted to harvest deer consistently, I’d have to put in the time to learn their patterns, just like experienced hunters do.
Prayer is not much different.
I don’t mean to be irreverent, but hear me clearly—there is a way to approach God that aligns with His nature, and there’s a way that doesn’t. You can’t just lob shallow, prideful, self-centered prayers into the air and expect powerful results. That’s why Jesus gave us instructions on how to pray and why the Bible is filled with examples of the kinds of effective prayers that got heaven’s attention.
One of the clearest examples is Daniel’s prayer in Daniel chapter 9:
“O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him… we have sinned and committed iniquity… O Lord, to us belongs shame of face… We do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake…” Daniel 9:4–19 (excerpted)
Daniel’s approach was humble, not haughty. He included himself in Israel’s sin—even though he was one of the most righteous men in Babylon. He didn’t make his request for personal comfort. He prayed with repentance, asking God to act for His own glory. This makes so much sense because…
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Daniel understood God’s nature. He didn’t presume on God’s favor—he aligned his prayer with God’s mercy. He prayed based on who God is, not what Daniel thought he deserved.
Just like a hunter studies deer, Daniel studied God. He knew that God is merciful, just, holy, loving and responsive to humble hearts. He knew God doesn’t bless arrogance—but He responds to brokenness and reverence.
When we come to God on His terms, not our own, our prayers become effective—not because of eloquence or effort, but because we are asking in alignment with His nature. That’s why the Bible makes explains “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
Just as a hunter doesn’t barge into the woods expecting results without preparation, we shouldn’t approach prayer casually or pridefully. We must seek to know God for Who He is, approach Him with awe, and pray in agreement with His will.
Prayer offered in righteousness and humility catches the attention of Almighty God.
When we are constantly aware of our desperate need for God, prayer becomes a way of life—not a casual pursuit. When we are on the hunt for God’s presence in our lives, seeking Him, worshipping Him, and making Him the object of our greatest desires, we have a natural and effective prayer life. God is not far from us—He desires to be the most treasured part of who we are and the center of our lives, because it is there that we experience our greatest satisfaction and the most powerful prayers!
Final Prayer:
Lord God, teach me to come before You with humility, reverence, and a heart that longs to bring You glory. I confess that I’ve often prayed on my terms, not Yours. Forgive me for my pride. Like Daniel, I want to approach You knowing that I bring nothing of value to You except my fully surrendered life. Help me to not just study Your Word, but to know Your heart and Your nature. Align my prayers with Your will. Let my life and my prayers glorify You above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
