The Prayer of a Righteous Man

James 5:15-18

St. James speaks of the prayer of faith and the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man.

Yet there has only been One truly righteous man.

Worthy of consideration.

Whose prayer is truly effective and fervent? We see this in the garden of Gethsemane, do we not? We hear it also from the cross. We hear it in the liturgy and in the Sacrament.

Yet for Christ’s sake, others also have been called “righteous.” Noah, Job, Abraham, and Elijah, are all named as the “righteous.” In Baptism, you and I also are named with the name of righteousness.

James speaks specifically of Elijah and the effectiveness of his prayer. Job is another example for us to remember. Both Job and Elijah were commanded what to pray. Both of these men were commanded by God to pray for the forgiveness of others and for their restoration. Both men’s prayers were fervent and effective.

What is the cause of all of our unfulfilled needs? Is Sin not that cause? What is the answer? The prayer of the righteous man, Jesus. And where does His prayer lead us? His prayer is that we may be one even as He and the Father are one: John 17:11 . And where is this prayer answered? When we kneel at His Supper to receive the body of unity and the blood of forgiveness and life.

So then, where is the answer to the effective and fervent prayer of the righteous man? In The Sacrament of the Altar!