THE PRAYING WOMAN

James 5:16

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The Praying Woman:

Realizes that sin hinders prayer. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

Keeps a short account of her sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Asks God to search her and know her and to reveal sin in her life. Psalm139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Is resting in the Lord. Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Knows how to handle fear. Psalm 46:1-2 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Knows when to seek God. Psalm 63:1 O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Realizes the importance of listening to God. Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Seeks God's guidance. Psalm 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Accepts affliction. Psalm 119:71 [It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Looks forward to time with God in waking hours. Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Realizes God's way is perfect. Psalm 18:30 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Eradicates sin in her heart. Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

Draws near to God. Psalm 73:28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Knows that God is her strength. Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Praises God for His faithfulness. Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Fears God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

Praises God for His mercy. Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Has a fixed heart. Psalm 108:1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Knows where her help comes from. Psalm 121:1-3 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Asks God to set a watch before her mouth. Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Commits her works unto the Lord. Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Seeks a merry heart. Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Knows if she doesn't ask, she won't have. James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Prays for a life of holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Casts her cares on God. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Calls on God in trouble. Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

When overwhelmed, she goes to the rock. Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

Does not faint in adversity. Proverbs 24:10 [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small.

Prays that her ways will be established. Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Stays her heart and mind with God's peace. Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength:

Knows she can do all things through Christ. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Knows God will supply her needs. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Knows that God does go with her. Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Knows nothing can separate her from God. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Like the disciples, asks, "Lord teach me to pray. " Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Knows God never makes a mistake. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Prays with faith. Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

Is persistent in prayer. Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Realizes that the Holy Spirit interceeds for her. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Desires to be acceptable in God's sight. Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Calls out to the Lord in distress. Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

Abides with Christ. John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Blesses the Lord at all times. Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

Knows the sufficiency of God's grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Asks God for wisdom. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Seeks the instruction of God. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Realizes that death is gain. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

Esteems others above self. Philippians 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Desires a worthy walk. Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Sets her affection of things above. Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Is willing to forgive. Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

Allows God's peace to rule her heart. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Gives thanks to God. Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Realizes the importance of contentment. Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Desires to grow in grace and knowledge. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Puts her trust in the Lord. Psalm 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Does not glory in self, but in God. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.

Waits on God. Psalm 62:1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation.

Trusts God completely. Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Knows God will revive her. Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

Keeps her heart with diligence. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

Realizes that God will hear and answer her prayer. Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Knows that God is with her continually. Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, ... Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Knows that God is her deliverer. Jeremiah 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Seeks God. Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Rejoices in the God of her salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.