The word of GOD is the channel through which divine love communicates to men His Truth and His will. Prayer is a principle, a gift from God, to prepare us and others to meet Him. He invites us to come unto Him. We too need that converting power in our hearts to imitate His divine pattern (Deuteronomy 30:6). Because our Lord liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), let us consider the key elements of Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel:
- Prayed = by the Word
- Prostrated himself = in a position of submission
- Persevered = by practicing the Truth
- Promoted = the perfect will of GOD
“Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves…And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken…And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell…And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God” (1 Kings 18:23-24, 36-39).
In purposeful prayer, the Spirit of the Word will cause us to prostrate ourselves before Him, for Elijah “cast himself down upon the earth” (1 Kings 18:42). In other words, Elijah focused on the Word of God and His power, blocking everything else out of his sight, with the expectation by faith that God would fulfill His words. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please…” (Isaiah 55:11).
The servant of God was utilizing the Word and practicing the Truth (James 1:25). As we continue to pray, positioning ourselves as a suppliant before God in persevering faith, while practicing the Truth, we shall also experience His assurance and comfort (Psalm 34) according to the perfect will of God (Rom 12:2).
Prayer: Call to Action
Loving Father, may your children continue to purpose in their hearts to uplift the burden of souls, as you, Abba, continue to enlighten, empower, and encourage us in the narrow path of righteousness. We pray these blessings of mercies with thanksgiving. Amen and amen.
All scripture taken from the King James Version
