The Prayer of Elijah

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (1 Kings 18:36-39)

In 1 Kings 18, we encounter Elijah, a great prophet in the Old Testament. The above passages are preceded by Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab and the prophets of Baal and Asherah. It was a situation where God’s people were falling into idolatry. This battle symbolizes the perennial struggle between true faith and the idols of the world. This account challenges us to reflect on our own allegiances. Are we, like the Israelites, wavering between God and the temptations of the world? Elijah's challenge and God's subsequent response with fire are poignant reminders of the need to choose decisively. The idols of Elijah's time are mirrored in today's world with our own forms of idolatry, like the pursuit of wealth and the entrapment of lust. The drought in Israel symbolizes the spiritual barrenness that results from such idolatry.

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” (1 Kings 18:41-43)

Elijah's faith and actions after the confrontation reveal the nature of true belief. Following the victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah prepared for the end of the drought, not just hoping or wishing, but taking concrete steps based on his faith in God's promise. He tells King Ahab to get ready for rain, then fervently prays for it. His posture in prayer, bending down on his knees, exemplifies humility and reverence. As a prophet, Elijah demonstrated a deep prayer life, an example for us in modern times. His prayer was not just a ritual; it was a powerful act of faith, deeply rooted in his relationship with God. This narrative teaches us about effective prayer and its transformative power.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. 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. (James 5:16-18)

James teaches us that Elijah’s fervent prayer altered natural phenomena. Understanding the power of prayer is developing a spiritual sensitivity to God's workings, prompting us not just to anticipate God's blessings passively, but to actively prepare for them. It reminds us that faith is not merely about believing in God's existence; it's about sensing His movements and aligning our actions accordingly. We are called to be vigilant, not becoming complacent in our faith or distracted by the world, but continually seeking and preparing for God's work in our lives.

The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45-46)

This passage about Elijah doesn't end with the fire from heaven but continues with his persistent prayer for rain. His servant's report of a small cloud is a testament to the power of perseverance in faith. Elijah's persistence in prayer, going back seven times, is a vital lesson for us. It teaches us that answers to prayer may not come immediately or in the ways we expect, but persistence in faith is rewarded. The small cloud, initially a seemingly insignificant sign, eventually brings the long-awaited rain, ending the three-and-a-half-year drought. This narrative aligns with James 5:16-18, highlighting that a righteous person's fervent prayer is powerful and effective. Just as the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weaknesses, as described in Romans 8:26-27, we are encouraged to persevere in prayer, trusting that even the smallest signs of God's work can lead to great outcomes.

Today’s message invites us to embrace a life of faith characterized by persistent, effective prayer, looking towards the future with optimism and hope, believing that even our small efforts, when imbued with faith, can lead to great works in God's Kingdom.