Trusting God In 1 Kings 18 (Mar 8)

God Acts on Persistent Prayer

From 1 Kings 15 onwards show
the two nations of Israel & Judah
in spiritual decline; taking time
occasionally to highlight a prophet
(such as Elijah) or a king (like Ahab)
who contributes significantly to the
spirituality of one of the nations.
Prophet Elijah courageously faces
a heathen Israelite king and 850
pagan prophets of Baal, prayed
persistently for rain, only to flee
for his life from Queen Jezebel.

Lord, we’ll Pray Earnestly In Faith:
Elijah said: How long will you
falter between two opinions?
If the Lord is God follow Him;
but if Baal follow him (1Kgs 18:21).
Elijah prayed: O Lord, answer me!
Answer me so these people will
know that You, O Lord are God…
The fire of the Lord flashed down
from heaven & burned up the young
bull. It even lick up all the water
in the ditch! And when the people
saw it, they fell on their faces and
cried out: The Lord is God! (v37-39)
Then Elijah said to Ahab: there is
the sound of abundance of rain…
And Elijah… said to his servant:
Go up, look toward the sea…There
is nothing. And 7 times he said:
Go again… Now it happened.. that
the sky became black with clouds
and there was a heavy rain (v41-45).

Lord, You are the one true God
and we praise You! Thank You
for going to such great length
to demonstrate Your power and
to bring people back to You.
Those great lengths led Your Son
to the cross because of Your love.
Show Yourself powerful and show
that You are the God who acts on
Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, I pray You will help me to have
 strong faith to believe You will do
great things in response to prayers.
  Your word tells of the miracles
You had done for Your people,  
          and I know You are the same
these days as You’re in the past.
 I believe You can do magnificent
 and miraculous things in response
 to our prayers today as well. Amen.

Lord, Your Word in James 5:16 says
the earnest prayer of a righteous
person produces wonderful results.
Grant us the faith & persistency of
Elijah: that when he prayed earnestly
that no rain would fall, none fell for
3 & half years! Then when he prayed
again, the sky sent down rain.
Lord, fill our hearts with Your desire
   so that when we pray out of the
overflow of our heart, we are praying
Your will and heart desires. Amen.