The term "availing" in a biblical context often refers to the effectiveness or efficacy of prayer, faith, or righteous actions. It is derived from the concept of something being beneficial, powerful, or having the ability to produce a desired effect. In the Scriptures, the idea of availing is closely tied to the power of prayer and the righteousness of believers.

Prayer and Availing

One of the most direct references to the concept of availing in the Bible is found in the Epistle of James. James 5:16 states, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse highlights the belief that the prayers of a righteous person are effective and powerful, capable of bringing about healing and change. The emphasis is on the righteousness of the individual, suggesting that a life aligned with God's will enhances the efficacy of one's prayers.

Faith and Availing

Faith is another key element associated with availing. In the Gospels, Jesus often emphasizes the power of faith in achieving what seems impossible. In Mark 11:24 , Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." This passage underscores the importance of faith in prayer, suggesting that belief is a crucial component in the availing nature of prayer. The implication is that faith, when genuine and unwavering, can lead to the fulfillment of one's petitions.

Righteousness and Availing

The concept of righteousness is integral to understanding availing in a biblical sense. The Old Testament frequently associates righteousness with God's favor and the effectiveness of one's actions. Proverbs 15:29 states, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." This verse reinforces the idea that righteousness enhances the availing nature of prayer, as God is more inclined to listen to and act upon the prayers of those who live according to His statutes.

Examples of Availing in Scripture

Several biblical figures exemplify the concept of availing through their prayers and actions. Elijah, for instance, is cited in James 5:17-18 as a righteous man whose prayers were availing: "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops." Elijah's prayers were effective because of his faith and righteousness, demonstrating the power of availing prayer.

Another example is found in the account of Daniel, whose steadfast faith and righteousness led to his prayers being heard and answered by God. Daniel 9:23 records the angel Gabriel's words to Daniel: "At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed." Daniel's life of devotion and integrity made his prayers availing, resulting in divine intervention and revelation.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of availing emphasizes the power and effectiveness of prayer, faith, and righteousness. It encourages believers to live righteously and maintain strong faith, assuring them that such a life leads to prayers that avail much in the sight of God.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Avail.

The System of Justinus Antiscriptural and Essentially Pagan.
... And in this manner he delivers the mysteries impiously discovered by himself, partly,
according to the statements previously made, availing himself of the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xviii the system of justinus.htm

Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion ...
... The real and availing circumcision, as the spiritual prophets and apostles always
knew, was a circumcision of the heart, and not of the flesh, and so, too, the ...
/.../chapter vii coornhert and the.htm

Consummation of Thomas the Apostle.
... And Thomas went and found the jailors fighting, and saying: What wrong have we done
to that sorcerer, that, availing himself of his magic art, he has opened ...
/.../consummation of thomas the apostle/consummation of thomas the apostle.htm

Introduction. virginity Classified under Three Several Species.
... No one deserves (favour) by availing himself of the indulgence, but by
rendering a prompt obedience to the will, (of his master). ...
/.../chapter i introduction virginity classified under.htm

Things Unknown
... he would most assuredly give us; and if he were a person in whose ability and kindness
we had confidence, we should not be very slow in availing ourselves of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/things unknown.htm

Essay i. Fortuna Plerumque Est Veluti Galaxia Quarundam Obscurarum ...
... Courage multiplies the chances of success by sometimes making opportunities, and
always availing itself of them: and in this sense Fortune may be said to ...
/.../confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay i fortuna plerumque est.htm

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... Not friendship's sigh, Not reason's subtle count.... Nay, none of these! Speak,
Thou availing Christ!"and fill this pause." EB BROWNING. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

Thanksgiving after Chastisement.
... But are we right in availing ourselves of the apparent cessation which has been
granted to us through God's kind providence, merely for the purpose of offering ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxi thanksgiving after chastisement.htm

Seventeenth Lesson. I Know that Thou Hearest Me Always;'
... Is what is said of the power"the much-availing power"of prayer anything more than
an accommodation to our mode of thought, because the Deity never can be ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/seventeenth lesson i know that.htm

From the Previous Part of the Work we Clearly See How Completely ...
... know God as the sovereign disposer of all good, inviting us to present our requests,
and yet not to approach or ask of him, were so far from availing us, that ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 1 from the previous.htm

Availing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Avail. Multi-Version Concordance
Availing (1 Occurrence). John 12:3 Availing herself ...
/a/availing.htm - 6k

Opportunity (35 Occurrences)
... John 12:3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure
spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with ...
/o/opportunity.htm - 17k

Weight (143 Occurrences)
... John 12:3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure
spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with ...
/w/weight.htm - 43k

Restoration (4 Occurrences)
... But men have wills of their own, and whether they share in the benefits of the
salvation provided depends on their availing themselves of its privileges. ...
/r/restoration.htm - 12k

Poured (155 Occurrences)
... John 12:3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure
spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with ...
/p/poured.htm - 37k

Availeth (6 Occurrences)

/a/availeth.htm - 7k

Avails (1 Occurrence)

/a/avails.htm - 6k

Herself (121 Occurrences)
... John 12:3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure
spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with ...
/h/herself.htm - 36k

Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... John 12:3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure
spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with ...
/p/perfume.htm - 38k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... of those who are already "in Christ," and he says that over against the Galatian
believers bringing in a lot of legal observances, the only availing thing is ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

Availing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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