Prayer of Elijah

                           The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much - James 5:16.

                    Elijah was a man of prayer. He prayed that a drought would afflict the land because of Israel’s idolatry and the evil King Ahab. There was no rain on the land for three years and six months. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months - James 5:17. Elijah prayed again for the drought to end and the rain to come again. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit - James 5:18.

                  Elijah prayed expectantly for God to answer his prayer. He asked and sent his servant seven times to look for an answer. Go up now, look toward the sea. So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again” - 1 Kings 18:43. Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you - Matthew 7:7.

               Elijah prayed persistently until he received an answer. Finally, after seven times, a small cloud began to form and God sent rain. Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!”. Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain.  - 1 Kings 18:44, 45. Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving - Colossians 4:16.                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to pray without ceasing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.