Elijah prayed fervently until he saw the answer. Elijah knew that sometimes an answer doesn’t come immediately. He knew that we must pray until we see the breakthrough. And so, he was committed for the long haul.
Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally, the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.1Kings 18:42b-45
Elijah had prayed the drought into existence. Now, it was time for the drought to end. He began to petition the God of the universe for rain. Not a little rain, but enough rain to quench the thirst of the land. He asked. No response. He asked again. Still no response. Seven times he asked and sent his servant to look for an answer. He prayed expecting an answer.
Finally, after seven times, a small cloud began to form. Even just a small indication that God had heard his prayer was enough. He knew a small cloud indicated that God was moving in response to his prayers. And God did exactly what he asked. He ended the drought. He sent rain on the land.
Elijah prayed through until he received an answer.
How can we tap into God’s power? How can we, ordinary men just like Elijah, experience the power of God moving in response to our prayers?
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16
We must be transparent with God and willing to confess our sins. We must admit our weaknesses, and our failures. It’s in admitting our sins, and in being honest and vulnerable with others, that we find healing. It’s through praying with others and for others that we find ourselves focusing on the character of God, on his faithfulness. It’s through confession and prayer that we position ourselves to live righteous lives, to see answers to our prayers.
We must pray earnestly, fervently. We must not give up. We must continually come before the Father asking Him to hear us, to answer. We must have an attitude of expectation (Psalm 5:3), believing that God is able and willing to answer our prayers.
PRAYER:
Father in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I confess all my sins and open my heart to change, transformation in Jesus name. I will not stop praying, I will pray until something happens in my life, family and nation in Jesus name.
Amen!