The Bible says:
“Elias [Elijah] 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. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James 5:17-18
Isn’t it amazing that we have the same power of prayer today that Elijah had in the 9th century B.C. In fact, if you are born again, you possess the same power that raised Jesus from the dead? Paul prayed that Christians would know:
“…the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:19-20
My friend, in order to engage this Almighty power of prayer we must have discipline and we must develop the attitudes of Christ. Then we will engage God’s power. A few guidelines to pray like Elijah are:
- Spend time praying. Not casual prayer. Pray like your life depends on it because—it does. Our prayer list reveals our prayer life. We have not because we ask not. We ask for pitiful little—when God offers us much. We seem to get hung up asking for the temporal things of this world when He has given us supernatural power to eternally change lives. Given the greatness of God—ask Him for a lot. Pray earnestly. With intensity. Keep in mind that absent intense circumstances we tend to only pray casually…so each tough situation is an opportunity to hone our prayer skills.
- Repent before you pray for anything. Our flesh is constantly drawn back into the horror of sin. But the Bible says it is the prayer of a righteous man that avails much from God. (James 5:16) It’s clear from God’s Word that we must take time to clean the pipes before we use them to pray: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”(1 Peter 3:12) Ask yourself—“Am I clean? Have I said, thought, or done something for which I need to ask for forgiveness?” If so, spend time in a prayer of repentance. Don’t launch into prayer until you’re clean.
- Stay at it. Elijah prayed ONCE to stop the rain and SEVEN times to start it again. (1 Kings 18:42-45) We are commanded to pray without ceasing:
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
The Bible reminds us that Elijah “was a man subject to like passions as we are.” Even though he was like us in that he struggled with sin in his flesh, because he had the right attitude about sin and was earnest and faithful in prayer, he became part of a story of miracle after miracle.
