What Prayer Will and Will Not Do

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” — James 5:16

Prayer is one of the greatest privileges God gives His people—a divine invitation to bring our thoughts, burdens, and desires before the throne of grace. Scripture is full of encouragement for Christians to be constant in prayer, with the assurance that it “availeth much.” But while prayer is powerful, it is also purposeful. The Bible clearly outlines what prayer can and cannot do.

What Prayer Will Do

1. Prayer Strengthens the Soul: Like David, who found renewed strength through calling on the Lord (Psalm 138:1–3), Christians today can be spiritually fortified by prayer. Even the simple knowledge that God hears and answers gives comfort during trials.

   
   

2. Prayer Imparts Peace: Philippians 4:6–7 teaches us to be anxious for nothing but to present our requests to God. The result? A peace that surpasses all understanding—one that guards both heart and mind through Christ Jesus. This peace is not natural, but divine, and is only found when we surrender our anxieties to Him.

   
   

3. Prayer Grants Our Requests—When Aligned with God’s Will: According to 1 John 5:14–15, our petitions are answered when they are in line with God's will. This means both praying as instructed and living in obedience (1 John 3:22). A rebellious heart hinders prayer, while a faithful life invites God’s favorable response.

   
   

4. Prayer Affects Others: 1 Timothy 2:1–4 urges us to pray for all people, especially leaders and those in authority, so we may live quiet, godly lives. Our prayers have power not only for ourselves but in shaping our communities, our nations, and the hearts of others—though never by force, always in accordance with their free will.

   
   

What Prayer Will Not Do

1. Prayer Alone Will Not Save the Lost: While we must pray for the salvation of souls, salvation comes through the Gospel (Romans 1:16). God may open doors, but no one can be saved without hearing and obeying the word of truth.

   
   

2. Prayer Does Not Relieve Us of Our Responsibilities: James 1:27 reminds us that true religion involves action—visiting the fatherless and widows, helping the afflicted, and remaining unstained by the world. Praying for others must be accompanied by service. Sometimes, we are the answer to our own prayers.

   
   

3. Prayer Does Not Eliminate Trials: James 1:2–3 teaches us that trials build spiritual endurance. While we can pray for strength and wisdom, and even a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), trials will still come. Prayer is not a means to avoid hardship but a source of strength through it.

   
   

Conclusion

Prayer is powerful—but not all-powerful. It is a gift from God, designed to align our hearts with His will, strengthen our spirits, bring us peace, and move us to action. Understanding what prayer will and won’t do helps us pray more faithfully, walk more obediently, and trust more deeply in the God who hears.