1 Kings 18:41-45 relates a great answer to prayer in the life of the prophet Elijah.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
Elijah heard the sound of an abundant rain while there was not a cloud in the sky. That is the hearing of faith. God had told him it was going to rain. 1 Kings 18:1:
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
Elijah believed God. Elijah had confronted the prophets of Baal and prayed fire down from heaven. Now it was time for the rain.
Then he prayed. The Old Testament writer does not reveal that.
He simply states in verse 42:
And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.
We have to go forward to the New Testament revelation to see a praying prophet. James 5:17,18 unveils the event.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Elijah took on a different posture in the intensity of prayer. He cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.
James in 5:16 calls it the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. And he assures us, it availeth much.
It is as Elijah is praying that the heavenlies are activated.
Read verses 43-45:
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
Initially the observing servant reported, There is nothing. At times it
seems our prayer is accomplishing nothing. Keep praying.
Go again seven times, the prophet instructed. The prayer reaches
perfect pitch. It is complete.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there
ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand.
When you see the slightest manifestation of an answer, like a man’s
hand, speak in faith to bring about the total fulfillment.
And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee
down that the rain stop thee not.
It is going to rain Ahab. Hallelujah! Declare your victory in faith and
watch it happen.
And there was a great rain.
Though the answer to your prayer may appear distant right now, persevere, the answer moves swiftly toward you. -PJF-
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
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