In James 5:17-18 we read “Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. Then, he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.”
Elijah was a man of prayer. Frequently, God gives us challenges greater than the ones we have already faced. He does this to build our faith. Praying that it did not rain and then later praying that it would rain, was a big challenge. But, in 1 Kings 18:20-40, we read how he faced the false prophets of Baal. This was an even bigger challenge.
Later, the prophet faced a still greater challenge. He had gone to Zarephath where he stayed in the room provided by a poor widow. (1 Kings 17:8-24). While he was there, her son became ill and eventually he died. The mother was very distraught. She felt God had sent Elijah there to call attention to her sins. As you read the account, you will find Elijah taking the lifeless body of the boy, up to his room, where he earnestly engaged the LORD in prayer. This was an even greater challenge than what he had previously faced.
In 1 Kings 17:21-23 CSB, we read “Then he stretched himself over the boy three times. He cried out to the LORD and said, ‘LORD, my God, please let this boy’s life come to him again!’ So the LORD listened to Elijah and the boy’s life came into him again, and the boy lived. Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, ‘Look, your son is alive.’”
Now notice the result of this answer to prayer in verse 24 – “Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the LORD’s word from your mouth is true.’”
Prayer answered isn’t just to have our own needs met. It can help people who are not saved, to become alive spiritually. God honored Elijah’s persistence in prayer and his honesty and forthrightness regarding his doubts and disillusionment.
Here are some thoughts to reflect on:
1. God prepares us for the big challenges in life by giving us opportunities to face the smaller challenges victoriously.
2. in situations beyond our control, we can learn to pray. In Matthew 7:7-8 CSBN we read, “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” The idea here is persistence in prayer. It is not that God finally yields to our persistence. Rather, we show that we are sincere and trusting in the God who loves us when we pray.
3. Something else to consider – God understands our anxieties, fears, disappointments, and disillusionments. In Hebrews 4:14-16 we read “Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in a time of need.”
4. One more consideration – God is particularly responsive to our prayers when we can get beyond our concerns and focus on the needs of others …, especially when we zero in on the goodness, greatness, and glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
When Elijah faced the crisis with the widow’s son, he appealed to God based on his concern for the LORD’s reputation. He was a man of God who represented the LORD of the universe. As followers of Jesus Christ, we represent him to the unbelieving people of the world. Thus, we must be sincere when we pray and engage the God of heaven. We should want others to see that we are truly men and women of God and that we have influence with Him.
Paul, in Ephesians 3:20-21 wrote, “Now to him who is able, to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to His mighty power that works in us, to Him, be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Our Lord cares, understands, and responds to prayers intended for His glory.
For His Glory, Pastor Leonard
