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James 5:15-18 continues the subject of prayer by speaking of the prayer of faith, confession, righteousness, and the example of Elijah. This message reminds us that prayer is not religious decoration around the Christian life. Prayer is one of the ways the believer abides in Christ, depends on God, and seeks His will in the real circumstances of life.
James says the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, then points to Elijah as a man with a nature like ours. Elijah was not presented as unreachable or superhuman. He prayed earnestly, and God acted according to His purpose. This encourages ordinary believers to take prayer seriously, not because of confidence in themselves, but because of confidence in the God who hears.
The message also warns against shallow or half-hearted religion. A worldly Christian may play games with obedience, but the godly man or woman seeks to walk and abide in Christ. Prayer, confession, righteousness, and faith are not separate compartments. They belong together in a life that comes honestly before God and trusts Him to work with power, mercy, and wisdom.