(James 5:16-18 NIV) The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 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 produced its crops.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life” by continuing to look at the importance of our words, as it relates to prayer. In the fifth chapter of James’ letter he teaches us about the importance of prayer. James teaches us that the prayer of a believer who is in right standing with God can be both powerful and effective. By now I am sure you are convinced that the Father wants us to pray. When we pray we cooperate with His kingdom plans and purposes in the earth. A great example of this is something Elijah did in 1 Kings 17 and 18. If you read 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles you will see a series of righteous and unrighteous leaders. Whenever Israel had a righteous leader the nation prospered and when it did not the nation suffered. In 1 Kings 17 Israel had a leader (king Ahab) who had allowed his wife (Jezebel) to pollute his heart with idolatry. The Lord used Elijah to bring judgment to the king and the nation. Elijah confronted the kind and said, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” (1 Kings 17:1). Like what we saw with Jesus and the fig tree, Elijah made this simple statement and walked away like it was already done. Sure enough it did not rain for 42 months.
After the three and half years the Lord told Elijah to go back to Ahab – a man who had a bounty on his head, by the way – because He was ready to bring rain back to the land. Elijah went back, had the famous “showdown on Mount Carmel” with the prophets of Baal, restored righteousness to Israel, and then prayed for rain. But this time Elijah got down on the ground, with his face between his knees, and prayed for the rain to come back. Elijah told his servant to “Go and look toward the sea,” to see if he could see the rain coming. The servant came back and said, “There is nothing there.” So seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” Six times the servant did not see anything, but the seventh time (which was the eighth overall), the servant said, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” That was all Elijah needed to hear. Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” And sure enough, a mighty rain fell.
In this story we see two examples of prayer from the same person. The first example, that James calls an earnest prayer, was simply a statement. The second example is more like what most people think about when they picture someone praying.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. You can do what you see recorded in scripture. James clearly teaches that Elijah was just like us. God used Elijah and He can and will use you.
2. You don’t have to be on your knees to pray earnestly. It does not matter where you are, how loud you are, how you sound, or how fancy you make it, you can pray anywhere/anytime.
3. You can live with an ‘attitude of prayer.’ When you have an ‘attitude of prayer’ you can be led to make a simple statement in faith, within the course of your day, that can be just as powerful as praying for an hour in your prayer closet.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for the examples of Jesus and Elijah. I now see that I can live with an attitude of prayer. I can pray in my designated place in the morning, but I can also live out my day with an attitude of prayer. This way I can say something in faith, as I am living out my day, that can be just as powerful and effective as the prayer I prayed in the morning. I don’t have to be a in a certain place, at a certain time, using any particular style of words, and I don’t even need to raise my voice. I can speak the language of faith, from a believing heart, and You will respond to it just as any other prayer. Thank You Father for walking with me today and I look forward to communing with You all day long as I live my life with an attitude of prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
