The Divided Kingdom
(Prayer Walk thro 1 Kings 12-22)
Backgrounder: After Solomon’s
death, the northern tribes revolt
following an increase in tax burden
resulting in a divided kingdom of
two distinct nations (Israel and
Judah) ruled by two decadent
kings (Jeroboam and Rehoboam).
Chapter 15 begins a pattern that
will extend throughout the rest of
1 & 2 Kings. The writer flip flops
in his account between the nations
of Israel and Judah, first describing
the reigning power in the North,
then moving to the South & so on.
He traces the parallel stories of
two nations in spiritual decline,
taking time occasionally to
highlight a king (such as Ahab)
or a prophet (such as Elijah)
confronting the kings for their sins.
Dear Lord, we learn from 1Kings
U deal with sin in powerful ways.
Thanks for the lessons from
the ministry of Prophet Elijah.
When in challenging situation,
help us learn to Pray Boldly;
take Step of Faith; Expect U to
Act; yearn to Hear from You and
Press On with U in control. Amen.
Lord, we’ll learn to Pray Boldly:
Now Elijah who was from Gilead
told King Ahab: As surely as the
Lord lives, the God whom I worship
and serve, there will be no dew
or rain during the next few years
unless I give the word! (1K17:1).
Lord, we know that You are the
God of miracles and nothing is
impossible for those who pray
in the power of Your Spirit.
Help me to pray boldly and
believe for miracles in answer
to my prayers, for I don’t want
my prayers to stop short of what
You want to see happen in my
life & in the lives of others. Amen.
Lord, we take first Step of Faith:
Elijah said to her: Don’t be afraid!
Go ahead & cook that “last meal”
… For this is what the Lord says:
There will always be plenty of flour
and oil in your containers until
the time when the Lord sends
rain and the crops grow again.
So she did as Elijah said and she
and Elijah and her son continued
to eat from her supply of flour and
oil for many days. For no matter
how much they used, there was
always enough left in containers,
just as the Lord had promised
through Elijah (1 Kings 17:13-16).
Lord, thank you for your constant
care in uncertain times. It’s so easy
to worry and do what seems most
reasonable rather than trust U and
follow your leading in those times.
Give me the assurance that your
way is the best. Remind me of yr
amazing provision for Elijah and
the widow because they followed
yr way instead of their own. Amen
Lord, we pray Expecting U to Act:
At the customary time for the
evening sacrifice,Elijah walked up
to the altar and prayed: O Lord
answer me! Answer me so that
these people will know that you,
O Lord, are God and that U have
brought them back to yourself.
Immediately the fire of God flashed
down from heaven and burned up
the young bull. And the people
cried out:The Lord is God(18:36-39
Lord, grant me strong faith to
believe You will do great things
in response to my prayers.
Your Word tells of miraculous
things You have done for people.
And You are the same today and
the future as U were in the past.
I believe You can do magnificent
& miraculous things in response
to my prayers as well. Amen.
Lord, we yearn to Hear from You:
Go out and stand before me on
the mountains, the Lord told him.
And as Elijah stood there, the Lord
passed by & a mighty windstorm
hit the mountain but the Lord was
not in the wind. After the wind
there was an earthquake, but the
Lord was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake there
was a fire, but the Lord was not
in the fire. And after the fire,
there was the sound of a gentle
whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12).
Lord, I want to hear You though
it may involve waiting and going
through trials of windstorm,
earthquake & fire, risking failure.
Woo me into silence where I can
hear your voice without distortion.
Help me discern which whispers
are Yours and which are not.
But let me not be so “discerning”
that I deny Your voice along with
others. Give me ears to hear. Amen
Lord,we Press On with U in Control:
And a voice said: What are you
doing here Elijah? Go to Damascus
& anoint Hazel to be king of Aram.
Then anoint Jehu to be king
of Israel, and anoint Elisha to
replace you as my prophet.
Anyone who escapes from Hazael
will be killed by Jehu, and those
who escape Jehu will be killed
by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000
others in Israel who have never
bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:15-18).
Lord, grant us the grace & strength
to press on with what You God
has called us to do though feeling
discouraged. For we know that You
the Almighty is In Control. Amen.
Dear Lord, Thanks for the lessons
from the ministry of Prophet Elijah.
When in challenging situation,
help us learn to Pray Boldly
for You are a God of miracles.
Help us yearn to Hear fr U though
it may involves period of waiting
and going through severe trials.
Help us Expect You to Act, for
You are the same today and in
the future as U were in the past.
Help us take the 1st Step of Faith
and Press On for we know You
are for us and You are in control.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.