The Great Value of Prayer — B.B. Warfield
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16b
“A righteous man’s prayer is of high value; that it is strong to obtain its end; that it is fully worth offering up. And this emphatic assertion is buttressed immensely by its context. The assertion is made in order to encourage the readers to pray for one another, and for themselves. To pray for one another when they are sick; to pray for one another when they are soul-sick. If any is sick among you, exhorts James, send for the elders of the Church and have them pray over such an one; and the prayer of faith shall heal the sick; yes, and if he have any sin on his conscience, it will heal that sin. And all of you — why, confess your sins to one another — and pray for one another, and the prayer will bring healing. Take everything to God. If you are suffering go in prayer; if you are in joy go in praise. But in any and every case, go. It is strong and reiterated advice, you see. Go continually, go always, to God. Go, go, because prayer is not of no profit; but, on the contrary, the ‘prayer of a righteous man profiteth much!’”
- B.B. Warfield (1851-1921)
taken from: Faith and life: ‘Conferences’ in the Oratory of Princeton Seminary pp. 430,431.
