Persevering In Prayer

Part 3 – Praying Powerful Prayers

  • And Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
  • So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down on the ground, and put his head between his knees,
  • And said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up, and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
  • And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, “Look, there is a little cloud rising from the sea, like a man’s hand.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, prepare your chariot, and get down, that the rain does not stop you.”

1 Kings 18:41-44

Prayer Time for Elijah

Three years and six months earlier, Elijah the Prophet prayed that God would not send rain on Northern Israel. God honored Elijah’s prayer and brought drought on that idolatrous region to demonstrate that the Lord God was the True and Living God and not the Baal idols. This powerful display of God’s power was directed at turning the hearts of the people back to worshipping Yahweh. As you may recall, Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, had led the people astray through their pagan practices. God sent the drought to not only punish the people but to remind them that He controlled the weather and everything else. God is indeed Lord of all. Now that the three and a half years had expired, God directed Elijah to proclaim that rain would return to demonstrate that God is a God of Mercy and goodness. In obedience, Elijah restated the proclamation to King Ahab, Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” With that statement, Elijah had to reverse the initial prayer. Would that present a challenge?

Have you prayed about something but did not feel as if the prayer was effective or that you needed to pray more? Rather than simply sitting down and taking things easy, Elijah was directedto pray. Perhaps this should be our approach to such doubtful times and seasons of uncertainty. Elijah was faced with fears, anxieties, and concerns the same as we are today. Yet, he resolved to seek God through prayer. Please remember, your prayer does not depend on you for results. Your prayer does not depend on your ability to make it happen. The answer to prayer is from the Lord. Elijah did not pray that God would give him the ability to make it rain. Elijah prayed for God to reveal the rain and asked his servant to go up and look. His prayer was focused on invoking God’s power not creating it. Our prayer invokes the Power of God. Please understand that God’s Will and Purpose will be accomplished with or without your prayer. Prayer helps the believer to focus fully on God’s power. Prayer gives the assurance that God is performing His mighty work. Let us take a look at Elijah’s powerful prayer for rain.

Powerful Prayers from the People of God

Bear in mind, that Elijah faced human frailties as all of us, but did not allow those issues to hinder his prayer. We observe several key factors in Elijah’s prayer for rain that provide a wonderful pattern for powerful prayer on our part. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down on the ground, and put his head between his knees. First we note that Elijah’s prayer was a prayer of anticipation for God’s promise. How did Elijah know that it was time for rain? Was he keeping a calendar of events? No, Elijah was listening to God’s promise. He announced in verse 41, that the rain was coming. Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” God had given Elijah that word and he repeated the promise to Ahab. Sometimes we miss out on God’s promises because we do not give adequate recognition of God’s will being done.  In many cases we become preoccupied with other things and place little priority on knowing God’s promises. Elijah was not about to take God’s promises for granted and neither should you. Enter into prayer and confirm God’s promises in your life.

The second powerful factor is that Elijah’s prayer was not based on presumptionnor did he automatically assume that Godwould do something. Elijah paid respect to God by praying and asking God. There are times when we may know God will do something, but we should still pray out of gratitude. 1 Kings 18:42, tells us that while Ahab was eating and drinking, Elijah was praying. While others may be taking God lightly, that should not be the case for the Child of God. We should approach God not just for needs, but because we enjoy talking with God. We love His company and adore the fact that He invites us to come to Him in prayer. Elijah was not presumptuous about God’s answer to prayer; he prayed to show his gratitude and watchfulness regarding the Divine promise.

Here is where the prayer gets even more interesting. We see two other elements or factors in powerful prayer: persistence in prayer and patience in prayer. These go hand in hand, but they are somewhat unique in their application. Interestingly, it did not start raining at the moment Elijah made the announcement to Ahab. So, the question is, how do you go from the sound of rain to literal rain? In Elijah’s heart, God had given him the sound of rain but at that moment there were no raindrops falling from the sky.

This calls for persistence in prayer. In other words, ‘keep on praying’ not out of doubt but out of a heart of faith. Another way of putting it is to nail down the promise with prayer to Almighty God. The same way you would fasten something in place with a hammer and nail so that it won’t move, you use prayer to nail down God’s promise. Keep on praying for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Trust me, God doesn’t mind yourpersistence in prayer. Elijah said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up, and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Seven is the number of completeness with God. Pray and be steadfast with God until the subject is covered.

Now the patience in prayer runs on a parallel track. Patience means you don’t give up on God’s promise simply because the evidence has not yet presented itself. Elijah kept praying and was confident that God would confirm His Word. The believer is challenged to have that same confidence in prayer. Sometimes, God’s timing does not always match our timing. Remember the old adage: “God may not come when you want Him, but He is always on time.” God was on time in saving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. God was on time when He saved Daniel in the lion’s den. God was on time when He arrived at Lazarus’ tomb. While He was four days late by the family’s calendar, Jesus was on time with the Divine calendar. Patience means the believer will not walk away due to a delay in delivery, timing difference, or lack of a sign. Patience in prayer means we acknowledge that God will perform His promise in His own time.

1 Kings 18:43-44, Elijahsaid to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up, and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again” … And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, “Look, there is a little cloud rising from the sea, like a man’s hand.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, prepare your chariot, and get down, that the rain does not stop you.”

Elijah’s prayer was also a prayer of proclamation as the rain would mean more than just the watering of the earth. It would mean God was speaking to Israel and their need to acknowledge Him as the ONLY Provider. Living and worshiping Baal was a big lie. Vs. 45-46shows Elijah sending instructions to Ahab and also going forth with the truth. And it came to pass that the heavens were black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain … and Ahab rode on to Jezreel … And the Hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he tucked his garment into his belt, and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. While Ahab was on his way to bring news of the events, Elijah ran ahead to proclaim the real truth. This was critical becausesinners can never tell the story of God’s Grace as the Child of God. While Ahab saw the rain, he did not have the regenerated heart to speak on God’s behalf. That was why Elijah was sent by the Spirit to speak God’s Truth at Jezreel.

As Elijah ran to bring the good news of God’s provision, we need to run to share with others what great things God has done in our life. Here are the applications and lessons regarding powerful prayer.

First, don’t endthe prayer with “Amen” to sit down but with a “Go forth.” Prayer does not resign the believer to leisure but to duty. As a matter of fact, prayer prepares us for greater service to our Lord. Never think that prayer is designed to make you comfortable and carefree. Prayer is designed to help us live and serve with gratitude.

Second, recognize the need to pray with patience. He may not come when you want Him, but keep on praying. Prayer demonstrates our commitment to dependence on God rather than leaning to our own understanding.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to wait for a sign from God. That sign of a cloud reminded Elijah that answers to prayer are not always ushered in with a big sign. Sometimes we can only see God’s answer as something small in the distance. Have faith that God will cause that small sign to grow into something great for His Glory and for His Kingdom. That is what it means to have perseverance in prayer.