1 Kings 18:41-46 – Praying effectively

First Kings 18:41-46 describe one final proof that Yahweh and not Baal is the true God, and that He alone controls nature. It was this true God who would soon end the three-year drought that Elijah had prophesied. Before the arrival of the rain, Elijah did something unusual. He told Ahab to get up, eat and drink because he could hear the roar of a heavy shower approaching.

Why did Elijah do what he did? Ahab was possibly discouraged by what had happened to the prophets of Baal. Though the text did not say, it would not be too far-fetched to believe that Ahab was aware all the prophets of Baal were slaughtered by Elijah at the brook Kishon. It is also not difficult to imagine that he sank into despair after the defeat of Baal’s prophets. Hence it is not hard to see why Elijah had to tell him to get up and have a meal.

So Ahab listened to Elijah and had his meal. While he was eating, Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel and apparently went into prayer. Although he knew God would send the rain, he would not presume on Him. Adopting a posture of humility, he crouched down to the earth and put his face in between his knees. As he travailed in prayer, he sent his servant to look towards the sea to check for impending rain. But his servant returned, saying that he saw no movement. The text tells us that the servant went to and fro the watching point seven times. It was not until the seventh time that he saw a cloud the size of a man’s hand coming up from the sea. When told of the gathering cloud, Elijah knew at once that God was sending the rain soon.

Still concerned for Ahab, Elijah sent his servant to tell the king to prepare his chariot and make haste so that his return home would not be impeded by the impending storm. Verse 45 said, “In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower.” While Ahab was on his way in his chariot, Elijah girded up his loin and outran his chariot, and reached Jezreel before him. Verse 46 said that Elijah was supernaturally enabled by the Lord. What a God!

These six verses leave us a lesson on what we should do to ensure prayer effectiveness. Firstly we need to know that just like the promise of rain to Elijah, God has many promises installed for us. While the promises are for our taking, God requires us to desire and ask for them. In Psalm 37:4, God promised us that if we delight in Him, He will grant us the desires of our hearts. The blessings we receive in life always come through our collaboration with God. That’s the reason while the promise of rain was made, Elijah still needed to pray. Secondly, like Elijah who went to the top of Mount Carmel, when we pray, we should seek a quiet place where we can focus on talking to God. Thirdly, like Elijah, faith must be exercised. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. We need to believe God hears and answers prayer. Even when there seems to be no movement we continue to persist in prayer. There will be times when God wants us to persevere and deepen our trust in Him. Fourthly, like Elijah, we need to come with the right posture. The most important posture we need to adopt in prayer is in the arena of our attitude. We must come in true humility and dependence upon God. Remember without God we cannot, but without us, God will not. How very gracious He is!