Connecting Belief to Life Through Prayer Elijah

Where We’ve Been Story of Elijah / Ahab / Jezebel / False Idols Week 1 – How God Shapes Our Lives Week 2 – Making Choices in a World of Choice Story of Elijah / Ahab / Jezebel / False Idols Week 1 – How God Shapes Our Lives Week 2 – Making Choices in a World of Choice

Where We’re Going 4 qualities of effective prayer 4 obstacles to effective prayer Why a more effective prayer life is so important? 4 qualities of effective prayer 4 obstacles to effective prayer Why a more effective prayer life is so important?

James 5:17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. (NIV)

1 Kings 18:42b-44 Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. “Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

1 Kings 18:42b-44 "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea."

1 Kings 18:42b-44 So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' “(NIV)

4 Qualities of Effective Prayer 1. Humble

1 Kings 18:42 Elijah … bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. (NIV)

James 4:6b, 10 …God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (NIV)

Humility in Prayer Serious and Sincere Authentic and Honest ‘I don’t understand, but know that you do.’ Acknowledge our inability and His ability. Serious and Sincere Authentic and Honest ‘I don’t understand, but know that you do.’ Acknowledge our inability and His ability.

4 Qualities of Effective Prayer 1.Humble 2.Specific 1.Humble 2.Specific

I Kings 18:43 "Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back.“ (NIV)

James 4:2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (NIV)

4 Qualities of Effective Prayer 1.Humble 2.Specific 3.Persistent 1.Humble 2.Specific 3.Persistent

I Kings 18:43 "Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." (NIV)

James 5:16b …The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (NKJV)

Keys to Persisting trusting inward belief not outward circumstance accepting faith as knowing not seeing knowing God’s purpose trusting inward belief not outward circumstance accepting faith as knowing not seeing knowing God’s purpose

4 Qualities of Effective Prayer 1.Humble 2.Specific 3.Persistent 4.Expectant 1.Humble 2.Specific 3.Persistent 4.Expectant

I Kings 18:44 The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' " (NIV)

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV)

I Kings 18:45-46a Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the LORD came upon Elijah…(NIV)

Expect What?

4 Obstacles to Effective Prayer My purpose not God’s purpose

4 Obstacles to Effective Prayer My purpose not God’s purpose Habit, ritual or tradition robs authenticity and intimacy My purpose not God’s purpose Habit, ritual or tradition robs authenticity and intimacy

4 Obstacles to Effective Prayer My purpose not God’s purpose Habit, ritual or tradition robs authenticity and intimacy Too infrequent or inconsistent My purpose not God’s purpose Habit, ritual or tradition robs authenticity and intimacy Too infrequent or inconsistent

4 Obstacles to Effective Prayer My purpose not God’s purpose Habit, ritual or tradition robs authenticity and intimacy Too infrequent or inconsistent Self-focused not others/purpose focused My purpose not God’s purpose Habit, ritual or tradition robs authenticity and intimacy Too infrequent or inconsistent Self-focused not others/purpose focused

Why a More Effective Prayer Life What on earth are we here for? Incapable ‘rescued rescuers’ without dependence on God. So we would care more about what He cares about. Life is too short. What on earth are we here for? Incapable ‘rescued rescuers’ without dependence on God. So we would care more about what He cares about. Life is too short.

Martin Luther King, Jr. “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

What Next?

Connecting Belief to Life Through Prayer Elijah