ELIJAH’S PRAYER

Elijah lived in decadent, deviant times among depraved people. King Ahab ruthlessly ruled the northern tribes of Israel. Worse yet, Queen Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king in Sidon, had popularized the worship of Baal (1 Kings 16:31). Like dumb sheep, the Israelites blindly followed the royal couple down the pathway to destruction. The Nation turned its back on the Living God and bowed before gods made of stone.

But God intervened.

“Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!’ ” (1 Kings 17:1).

This is the first mention of Elijah. Who was he? What is his background? Where is the village of Tishbe?

Apparently, Elijah was a man who knew God’s word and trusted Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! If God said it, Elijah believed it! The Law said, “Be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside, serve, and bow in worship to other gods. Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you. He will shut the sky, and there will be no rain” (Deuteronomy 11:16–17).

Mourning the spiritual condition of God’s people, and taking God at His word, “Elijah … a human being as we are … prayed earnestly that it would not rain!” (James 5:17). Standing in the king’s court, the yet unknown prophet announced that God would punish Isreal’s sin. God, in just judgment of Israel’s sinful lifestyle, would withhold the rain. Drought and famine would be poured out on the Ahab and Jezebel’s people!

Image it! “God keep Your word! Send Your wrath! Stop the rain! Do whatever it takes to draw You people back to Yourself.” Elijah believed that God could… that God would… 

God answers prayer! “For three years and six months it did not rain on the land!” (James 5:17).

“The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect” (James 5:16). Or, in Elizabethan language, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!” (James 5:16 (KJV).

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).