The Prayer of Elijah (The Prayer of the Righteous, Part 2)

Intro

Text - James 5.17-18

James 5:17–18 NKJV

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.

Series - The Prayer Of The Righteous, part 2

Title - The Prayer Of Elijah

Background

From Part 1

Faith is the meeting point of God for man

faith in His Word

faith in Christ

Faith must become one’s way of life

the just shall live by faih

Faith makes the person righteous

Faith is the substance behind the prayer of the righteous

Elijah

one of the most important prophets in the plan of God

his ministry will occur up to 5 times - (1) Elijah in person; (2) Elisha; (John the baptist); (4) William Branham; and (5) 1 of the 2 prophets of Rev 11

primary characteristic - passionate

he called fire from hueaven numerous times

“how long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal, follow him.”

he killed all the prophets of Baal

the 3 and 1/2 years of famine

he prayer that it would not rain

1 Kings 17.1 - …except at my word.

notice - there was no “thus says the LORD”

it was Elijah’s prayer or petition to God

he prayed again

1 Kings 18.1 - God has promised to give rain

1 Kings 18.41-45

after the fire came down, he announced the coming rain!

he prayed and watched up to seven times!

a small cloud was enough to confirm the promise

What is an “earnest prayer”? How do we “pray earnestly”?

eanest - showing depth and sincerity of feeling ; seriously important; demanding serious attention

earnest prayer - prayer in which you feel deeply about the subject of your prayer, and you pay serious attention to the prayer and its result.

Note: James used 2 different words for prayer, indicating intensity

proseuchomai (prayed)

proseuche (earnestly)

see also - Ephesians 6.18, praying (proseuchomai) with all prayer (proseuche) and supplication (deesis)

Sermon Points

What are the characteristics of “earnest prayer”?

Earnest prayer is borne out of deep concern for the object of prayer.

Elijah’s prayer

borne out of deep concern with Israel’s spiritual condition

Other examples

Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane

Luke 22:44 NKJV

44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

His agony was not only for His own suffering, but also for the salvation of those who will believe in Him

Paul’s exhortations

Ephesians 6.18-19 - for all the saints and for the minister

Colossians 4.2-4 - for the ministers and for the work of ministry

Colossians 4.12-13 - prayer of Epaphras for the saints

Earnest prayer is fueled by faith in God and His promise.

Elijah’s prayer

Because God has promised to give rain - 1 Kings 18.1

he encouraged Ahab to be merry! - 1 Kings 18.41

he prayed till the rain poured down! - 1 Kings 18.42-44

Because of the fire that came down earlier

it is not usual to for fire to come down

it is much easier for rain to pour down

Other examples

Hannah prayed every year for a child

Simeon went to the temple to pray, believing that God will fulfill His promise that he will not die until he has seen the Christ - Luke 2.25-26

Exhortations

Matthew 21.21-22 - pray believing, and you will receive

Earnest prayer is praying through until you get the answer

Elijah’s prayer

He prayed until he received the confirmation - 1 Kings 18.44

Other examples

Luke 18.1 - always pray and do not lose heart

to stop praying is to lose heart

to pray always means you put hope in God!

King David fasted and prayer for 7 days until the child was dead

Hebrews 5.7 - Jesus’s prayer was heard!

Conclusion