Elijah’s Prayer 1 Kings 18:41-45 Based on article by Connie W. Adams, Truth Magazine. June 21, 2001, page 3 First preached, March 12, 2006 AM Preached at West Side church of Christ 9/21/2008 PM Print slides: 2, 16, 19

Circumstances of Prayer Ahab begins reign in Israel, and institutes worship of Baal (16:31-33) Elijah proclaims a drought in Israel (17:1) Elijah and Ahab meet – “troubler of Israel” (18:17-18) Contest with 450 prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel (18:20-40)

1 Kings 18:42b-45 …And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot , and go down before the rain stops you.'" 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.

James 5:16-18 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Lessons to Learn Elijah was no different than us James 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:8

James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. No “clergy/laity” distinction. In Christ, we all have equal access to spiritual blessings.

Lessons to Learn Elijah was no different than us James 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:8 The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous man 1 Peter 3:12; James 5:16; Isaiah 59:1-2

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.“ Whether God hears us or not is solely dependent upon our obedience or lack thereof

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Lessons to Learn Elijah was no different than us James 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:8 The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous man 1 Peter 3:12; James 5:16; Isaiah 59:1-2 Elijah was Persistent in his prayer 1 Kings 18:42-44; Luke 18:1-8

1 Kings 18:42-44 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot , and go down before the rain stops you.'"

Luke 18:1-5 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"

Luke 18:6-8 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Lessons to Learn Elijah was no different than us James 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:8 The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous man 1 Peter 3:12; James 5:16; Isaiah 59:1-2 Elijah was Persistent in his prayer 1 Kings 18:42-44; Luke 18:1-8 Elijah prayed with confidence 1 Kings 18:44-45; James 1:5-8

1 Kings 18:44-45 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot , and go down before the rain stops you.'" 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.

James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Conclusion Elijah’s triumph was not final, as many trials remained. Jezebel sought his life, “And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life.” (19:3) But, ultimately, Victory is with those who belong to God! “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal…” (19:18) Based on article by Connie W. Adams, Truth Magazine. June 21, 2001, page 3 Preached at West Side church of Christ, March 12, 2006 AM