James 5:16 Availing Prayer

James 5:16 (KJV)  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

The word “confess” conveys the thought of an open, frank and full confession. The root form means literally means “to say the same thing”. Hence, it means that in confessing sin we agree to identify it by its true name and admit that it is sin, denoting a confession that is open and full in acknowledging personal guilt.

Unconfessed sin eats up the conscience and grants the heart no peace!

Here it refers to confession of specific sins and not just general confession of personal sinfulness. Here, James is speaking about a private sharing where confidences are shared for the purpose of mutual help and intercession. The confessor feels the need for brotherly intercession for victory. 

The righteous man is one who has confessed his sins and by faith stands acquitted before God. He is anyone who is of good standing before God. A godly man’s petition is powerful, strong, is able to do much. Prayer is not itself powerful. It is not magic. But its power is unlimited in that the child of god calls on a Father of unlimited goodness and ability. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and thathe is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Once there is no hindrance in our hearts when we have confessed our sins and washed by the blood of Jesus, our prayer is being made effective. The word “effectual” is in the passive voice, enabled by an external source.

It is inspired prayer led by the Holy Spirit, made with utmost sincerity and devotion, where we empathise with the person whom we are praying for and cry out to God for him. Amen.