June 17 2007

By Timothy Beougher

Scripture: James 5:16–18, 1 Kings 17–18; especially James 5:16b: The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Introduction: Our verses for today apply to everyone in this congregation, but on this Father’s Day we should realize the incredible need for praying dads. I’m sure the fathers here today often question their ability to really make a difference. We read stories of great Bible heroes like Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Paul, but we think they’re out of our league. But notice the first part of James 5:17, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours … ” We have a tendency to elevate biblical characters to a super-human status. The Bible is very clear: God doesn’t use extra-ordinary people; He uses ordinary people in extra-ordinary ways.

     1.     Pray (James 5:17). Elijah was a man just like us, in all our frailty and weakness. Do we find it hard to pray? So did he, but he prayed. Do we ever doubt? So did he, but he prayed. Do we ever get discouraged? So did he, but he prayed. Do we ever grow weary? So did he, but he prayed. Elijah didn’t make excuses, he prayed; so should we. Throughout this epistle, James exhorts us to pray: when we need wisdom, when we are suffering, when we are tempted, before we speak, about the future, when we are joyful, when we are sick, etc. Do we live this way? Is prayer the environment of our life, the climate in which we live? Prayer should be our first choice, not our last resort.

     2.     Pray with a Clean Heart (James 5:16). Elijah is given as an example of a “righteous man,” whose prayer is powerful and effective. James does not mean “sinless perfection” when he uses the term “righteous,” but a right relationship with God. When we repent of our sins and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, He transfers His perfect righteousness to us. Have you trusted Christ? James also refers to a practical righteousness; we should confess our sins to one another. Not to everyone, but to trusted believers who will hold us accountable and build us up in Christ.

     3.     Pray Earnestly (James 5:17). In Elijah’s days, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel led Israel away from the true God to worship the false god Baal. Baal was the “god” of rain. The people believed Baal controlled the heavens: the thunder and lightning, and especially the rain. Elijah prayed that God would withhold rain from the land to cause them to turn back to the true God. Notice that he prayed, “earnestly,” literally in the Greek, “he prayed in prayer,” a deliberate repetition of the words for emphasis. When was the last time you “wrestled with God” in earnest, heaven-moving prayer?

     4.     Pray Specifically (James 5:17–18). Elijah prayed for drought; it came. Elijah prayed for rain; it came. He didn’t pray, “Lord, bless the weather,” but specifically, for God to withhold the rain. Sometimes we must pray in detail.

     5.     Pray in Accordance with God’s Will (1 Kin. 17:2; 18:1). The Lord spoke to Elijah concerning the drought (17:2) and the rain (18:1). He prayed in accordance with God’s Word. Sometimes we do know God’s will. He has revealed some of His will clearly in Scripture for us to overcome temptation, to be patient in trials, and to be bold witnesses. We can pray these and other prayers with full confidence, but praying that God will give us a new job may or may not be in His will. God will always answer, but sometimes His answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. Trust God to answer your prayers according to His will.

     6.     Pray with God’s Honour in View (1 Kin. 18:36–37). What was the motivation of Elijah’s prayers in 1 Kings 17–18? That God would be glorified and honoured. Elijah prayed that it might not rain because of his zeal for God’s glory in the midst of the people’s idolatry. Don’t we live in an idolatrous generation? What better motivation for our prayers than for God’s glory to shine through our sinful society (Pss. 115:1; 83:18)?

Conclusion: Elijah was a man with the same nature as ours and his prayers brought repentance to a nation! Are you an ordinary dad? Think of what your prayers can do! No matter who you are, whether you join a prayer chain or make an altar each morning at your bedside, pray! Then watch God work.

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[1]Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson's complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) (632). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.