In James 5:16-17, where we find that memorable verse about the prayer of a righteous man having great power in its effects, we also see a reminder from Elijah’s life. James does not offer Elijah’s prophetic command that it will not rain as any sort of example to us (see 1 Kings 17), but the fact that he was a man like you and me, and that he prayed, and that the God of all creation listened and answered.

“I’ll pray for you”. Do those words feel like the “consolation prize” of the Christian life? The throw-away offerings of help when you don’t know what else to say? Or maybe when others don’t really want to help—they’ll just pray for you instead. Are they tack-on words when you conclude a heavy conversation and you want to add some parting substance?

Even if you personally grasp the weightiness of prayer, do you ever feel bashful as you offer those words, hoping the other person appreciates the value of what you are promising?

Does this not reveal our natural tendency to lessen the significance of prayer?

There is one event in Christ’s life where we sometimes read his offer of prayer as mere hopefulness, and as less than ultimately helpful. That circumstance takes place on the night of Jesus’ betrayal when he informs his disciples that they will fall away, and most pointedly, that Peter will deny him three times.

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