William R. Newell once said “That saint who advances on his knees never retreats.” The New Year is a timely reminder that the engine room of a local church is prayer. Prayer either collectively or individually; time spent on our knees before God and with God is God’s primary mechanism for empowering His servants. Looking through the scriptures we notice that that powerful men and women of God were characterised by being people of prayer.
In the 18th chapter of 1 Kings the prophet Elijah provides us with an excellent model for powerful prayer. The land was years in drought, and God had demonstrated His power on Mt Carmel by burning up the soaking sacrifice in the contest with the prophets of Ba’al. After which Elijah says to Ahab:
“Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:41 – 46
This passage teaches us four things to practice in our prayer life:
Perspective – We need to get things in their proper perspective. A wise Elder once told me, “feed your soul before you feed your body and you’ll make it through the day.” Ahab ate and drank, Elijah prayed.
Position – Elijah prayed faced down before God. To often we rely on the grace of God and approach His throne without due respect. He is our Father but He is also God Almighty.
Perception – Elijah looked out to the sea full of expectation of the coming rain. When we pray we must pray with faith, knowing our God can do all things. Notice that Elijah “heard” the sound of rushing rain before there was even a cloud in the sky.
Persistence – he bowed before God seven times before an answer came.
James referring to Elijah wrote “The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.” Let us look forward to the coming year and may faith, prayer and obedience undergird it.
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