Through His Word, God declares that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Psalm 132 illustrates this truth quite clearly.
The opening verses record the fervent prayer of the “man after God’s own heart”. Here, it is written, “How he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: ‘Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob’” (vv. 2-5).
The concluding verses record how effectively this prayer availed much: “The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: ‘I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I shall teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.’ For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There I will make the horn of David grow I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish’” (vv. 11-18).
Even prior to the new and better covenant with its great High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).
