There is an age-old saying, “There are no atheist in foxholes.” I believe that every one of us has prayed before whether we are believers are not. We’ve all been in a tight spot and asked God to get us out of it. The odds have been against us and we’ve hoped a higher power would come to our rescue.
In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah has just prayed for fire from heaven and God answered his prayer. After Israel saw that fire, they confessionally believed again that God was indeed the only God. There had not been rain in three and a half years in Israel. This happened because God needed to get the attention of Israel. But now, Elijah prays that rain would come to replenish the earth and fortify the people. As we look at the prayer of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:42-45, we see some elements that become important in our prayer life.
We see that Elijah’s prayer is a humble prayer. After he dispenses with the false prophets, he and his servant climb Mt. Carmel again. Once at the top, Elijah gets on his knees and puts his head between his knees. It’s a sign of respect and humility, outwardly recognizing God is greater than he is. It’s the attitude of John the Baptist in John 3:30 where John says, “Jesus must become greater and greater and I must become less and less.” James tells us in James 4 that God honors those who have humility.
Elijah’s prayer is specific. So many times we prayer generic prayers but I believe God wants us to be vulnerable and open with him. Elijah essentially says, “God, we’ve been without rain for over three years. We need rain now.” James tells us in James 4 that we don’t have because we don’t ask God. So be specific in your prayer life.
Elijah’s prayer is persistent. He has his servant go seven times to the mountain top to look to see if any clouds have formed yet. Trips 1-6 reveal nothing happens. It’s a reminder Elijah doesn’t let the outward circumstances deter him from praying for what he knows is needed. Jesus tells a story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. She wants justice but every time she goes to the judge, he declines to help her. Finally she just keeps coming and the judge says, “I’m going to give the widow justice now or she’ll just keep coming to me.” Jesus explains the parable by saying the judge is God and we are the widow.
So, what have you stopped praying for? Have you stopped praying the marriage will be healed or the adult child will come back to Jesus or the depression will go away or a better revenue vein will be found? Keep praying for the things you believe you need in life so that God will be glorified.
Finally, Elijah’s prayer is expectant. He expects God to give rain. Jesus says in Mark 11:24, “If you believe it and ask for it, it will happen.” And sure enough in Elijah’s story, God sends a storm of rain. So in our prayer life, pray with a spirit of expectancy. Expect the marriage to be healed; expect your kids to follow Jesus; expect your career path to be clear; expect the Holy Spirit to remove doubt, fear and worry; expect to be healed.
You and I as followers of Jesus, believe all things are possible. Pray with that spirit. Your Heavenly Father is for you and wants to reveal himself to you. Pray with that confidence. Blessings on your journey.