Heart Turning Prayer

1 Kings 18:36–39 NASB95

36 At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.”

PRAYER TEACHING OUTLINE – WEEK 9

Topic: Heart Turning Prayer

Vision Reminder: Pour Over Nights are not about hype or performance; they are about simple, surrendered prayer that invites God to turn hearts back to Him. No manipulation. No show. Just fire on the altar.

I. THE SIMPLE PRAYER THAT SHIFTED A NATION

“Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God…”

1 Kings 18:36–39

- Elijah didn’t pray for spectacle — he prayed for hearts to turn.

- In a showdown with false prophets, he didn’t scream, dance, or perform.

- He rebuilt the altar, laid the sacrifice, and prayed simply but boldly.

- God’s fire doesn’t fall on hype — it falls on humble, heart-turning prayers.

II. PRAYER THAT EXPOSES OUR MOTIVATION

- Elijah’s prayer reveals his heart: “Let it be known You are God… turn their hearts back again.”

- He wasn’t asking for fire to prove himself — but to bring people back to their first love.

- True prayer is never about showing off spiritual strength; it’s about surrender.

- The real miracle wasn’t just the fire — it was the hearts that turned.

III. NO MANUFACTURED FIRE — JUST SURRENDERED PEOPLE

- The prophets of Baal tried to manipulate the fire with noise and performance.

- The world knows hype — but it’s desperate for holy.

- The Shed isn’t after a spark we stir up; we want the flame only He can send.

CLOSING CHARGE

- What’s the motivation behind your prayer?

- Are you asking for God’s fire to fall so hearts will turn — starting with yours?

- In this season, pray simply. Pray honestly. Pray for hearts to turn.

PRAYER ACTIVITY – Assignment:

- Ask: “God, turn my heart fully toward You.”

- Pray for Pour Over Nights: “Answer with fire — not for our name, but so that people know You are God.”

- This week:

- Keep it simple. Pray for nothing more and nothing less than hearts turning to Him.