People by nature are limited as to how much they can do in your life. Money is the least source of power. The real power house is God Himself, and you only tap into His power through prayers. The morning speaks about the new day; but sometimes you wake up and realize it is covered with all sorts of damnable report and affliction. In a time like this, what you should do is pray. Though you might have being praying, all you need to do is to keep praying. The significance of prayers is that God hears and answers prayers – Pro 15:29, Psa 65:2.
Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Psa 65:2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
God is pleased to order His policies and base His actions on the prayers of the saints. John Wesley once said “God will not do anything until someone asks Him to do it”. An answer-oriented prayer is predicated on a prayer life. James 5:13-20
13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
17 Elijah was a man of like passion as we are. And he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for the time of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth caused its fruit to sprout.
19 Brothers, if anyone among you err from the truth, and if anyone turns him back,
20 know that he who turns back the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Elijah is an example to imitate and an inspiration to stimulate. To have answers like Elijah, there must be a crying need. His prayer life and the results he got demystified prayers such that if he could prayer then we are no exemption at all. My initial thoughts on this subject are:
- Elijah was a man like us. Impliedly, we can pray just as he prayed.
- He had a prayer life, 1 Kings 17:1-5
- Prayer works. It achieves the impossible.
What do you do when the doctor gives you a report that brings your life to an abrupt end? What do you do when your business is crumbling? What do you do when marital crisis rocks the very foundation of your life? This is the reason why we are considering the prayer life of Elijah. Consistency is the power of prayer!
THE PRAYER OF ELIJAH—THE INGREDIENTS OF ACHIEVING PRAYERS
- Relationship with God is the basis of answering prayer, Luke 11:1-13.
- Prayer must be to God alone, Matt 6:6,
- Prayer must be offered in confidence, 1 John5:14.
- Prayer must be persistent, persevering and fearing.
- Prayer must be based on His promise (His Word), 1 King 18:36
- Prayer must be expectant and watchful of result, 1 King 18:43-45.
- Prayer must be in faith, James 5:15.
- Prayer must be made in truth and sincerity of heart.
Submit yourself to God then you can rebuke and resist the devil. The devil only recognizes and respects the voice of those who submit to God. Call Him the Living Word; His footsteps are your guidance. Call Him the Way, His majesty is your worship. Call Him mighty God; His presence is your delight. Call Him Wonderful, His truth is your foundation. Call Him Rock; His will is your purpose. Call Him Lord; His kindness is your comfort. Call Him Shepherd; His promises are your hope. Call Him Faithful; His riches are you supply. Call Him Provider; His fellowship is your reward. Call Him Life; His authority is your confidence. Call Him King; His return is your hope. Call Him Omega; His heart is your home. Call Him your Lord; He said I will answer.
Conclusion
Answer to prayer is a proof that God exist. Pray in simplicity. Pray with faith. Pray with fervency. Pray with sincerity of heart. Pray as if you are expecting a result. Pray as somebody who is watching for an answer. Pray as if you are talking to God not man. Pray because therein lies your hope. Pray with positive anticipation. Pray because you can pray. There is no short cut to spiritual things; pray. Pray because you have no other viable option. Pray also because He said pray. If you do not pray it is because you have not learnt the discipline to pray.
Psa 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
God bless you.
