James 5:16, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
I am an average woman. I have struggles every day just like everyone else. Some I breeze through and others cause me to stumble.
But what is not average about my life is that I believe in prayer. Prayer makes a difference.
I recently read the story of Elijah in the Bible. Elijah was an average man, but God used him mightily because he was a man of prayer.
In 1 Kings 17, because the Israelites had turned away from God, Elijah prayed that it would not rain for three and a half years.
And it did not rain.
On another occasion, Elijah prayed for a widow’s son to be brought back to life. God heard Elijah’s prayer and brought him back to life.
In 1 Kings 18, Elijah suggests a contest before all the people of Israel. It would be the one True God against the 400 prophets of Baal. (Baal was a false god many people worshipped.) Elijah determined that the god who burned up the sacrifice would be the one true God.
The Baal prophets built an altar and placed their sacrifice upon it.
Nothing happened.
When it was Elijah’s turn, he built an altar, put a bull on it, and drenched it in water.
Then he prayed.
In response to prayer, fire came down from heaven and burned up the sacrifice. The people turned back to God and worshipped Him!
Elijah prayed again. He asked God to send rain.
And God sent the rain!
We can pray just like Elijah! The Bible says in James 5:17-18, “Elijah was human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.”
Elijah was an average person just like you and me, but he believed God would hear and answer his prayers. The Bible tells us God hears the earnest prayers of a righteous person.
Prayer is simply talking and listening to God. Whatever is going on in my day, I bring it to God. God hears every prayer.
The key to prayer is faith, earnestness, and thanksgiving. This is what made Elijah a great man of God: his earnest faith, his prayers, and his thankfulness to God for answers to prayer.
“You can pray about anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6
Bring everything to God. Big or small, God is listening. And remember to thank God for His answers!
A prayer and praise journal can be a great way to remind yourself about how God is working in your life.
Take a look at Tara’s “Growing Stronger Roots” Prayer Journal to help you get started and to grow in your prayer life.
