Prayer - A Matter of Life and Death

Misconception of God

We often do not understand the trials of life. We tend to think it is because God is punish us for some reason.

Elijah was in “enemy territory” in Sidon. The woman was immersed in a culture that believed the gods had to be appeased to prevent bad things from happening.

The truth is the death is a result of sin and living in a fallen creation. However, the Lord can redeem tragedy and sorrow for His glory.

John 9:1-3 “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

God does not bring punishment on us for sins that have been confessed, forsaken and forgiven. He does not work by karma. But rather by grace!

Petition to God

James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.”

Notice the prayer was passionate - He cried out!

Notice that the prayer was persistent. Luke 18:1-3 “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’”

Prayer is made by faith in a God who hears. It is also to be done persistently.

Resurrection by God

The Lord heard Elijah.

The Lord restored the child.

The Lord was glorified.