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Intention

Elijah is an example of the power of prayer for us today

Scripture

“Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” – James 5:17 (NLT)

Reflection

James 5 verse 17 says Elijah was as human as we are, and yet he prayed.

During this month of October, as we pray, what are we wanting to see? What are we asking God for as we pray?

Yes, we have the focus on family, marriage, children, revival and more – so as we pray, we wait in faith to see what God will do.

There is so much to be learned from James chapter 5 about the subject of prayer.

James reminds us that Elijah was as human as we are and yet he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, and there was no rain for three and a half years.

God invites us to pray. God calls us to pray. God challenges our faith to pray and believe.

We could think, well, I am not an Elijah who was a prophet of God, but James emphasises he was human, just like us. The same temptations, difficulties, discouragements that we experience.

We read of Elijah in 1 Kings 17: 1 – 7. He seems to come out of nowhere and arrives unannounced before the king of Israel and delivers his message and then disappears as quickly as he arrived.

In 1 Kings 17 verse 1, we read – “Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”

We know from our earlier reading of the book of Kings that idolatry had spread throughout the nation. King Ahab was an evil man. His wife Jezebel has been described as wicked with a capital W, and, because of her influence, King Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel before him.

One person decided something had to be done. So, Elijah told Ahab, “there won’t be any rain here until I say so.”

In these days, more than ever, God is looking for people with courage, people of prayer. As I seek to understand the life of Elijah in his humanness, I also understand his courage is connected with his private walk with God.

Yes, Elijah – a man like us – prayed… and look what happened.

Prayer

God who is over all, through all, and in all, we come to you in the powerful name of Jesus.

Help us to pray with pray with faith; to pray with courage. Help us to stand strong in these days against the evil onslaught.

We pray in faith for families, for children, for marriages, and as we pray, we ask, Lord, have mercy on us because we are human just like Elijah. But he prayed, and You handled the rest.

We wait on you for the results, in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

James Condon Bio

Commissioner James Condon and his wife, Jan, have been associated with the Salvation Army (https://my.salvos.org.au/) at a senior level for decades. They have been internationally recognised for their work in the organisation. Among many other topics, Commissioner James has spoken out strongly on Modern Slavery in Australia and drug use in New South Wales.

31 Days Prayer Points

1. Pray for the restoration of FAMILY, FATHERHOOD and MOTHERHOOD in our nation. Malachi 4:6
2. Pray for healing for MARRIAGES, protection for CHILDREN and restoration of the sanctity of LIFE. Isaiah 58:12
3. Pray for Revival, Renewal and Reformation for Australia, that our nation might return to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14

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