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Meditation

Reader,

Today we are copying one of the most dramatic and powerful sequences of prayers in the Bible. It takes place during the showdown between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal and then Ahab.

Elijah prays fervently twice in this passage, once for fire and then for rain. Once publicly out loud, once privately in silence.

Both are pleas for God to reveal his power and glory to the people of Israel, who have turned away from him.

Elijah's conviction, specificity, and boldness in prayer give God the glory. Asking God to make Himself known to the people through His power.

Today's text is 1 Kings 18:36-46

Elijah on Mount Carmel

³⁶ At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. ³⁷ Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

³⁹ When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

⁴⁰ Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

⁴³ “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

⁴⁴ The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

⁴⁵ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. ⁴⁶ The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Encouragement

Elijah gathered the people together to witness the power of prayer. Using public prayer is a means not only of exalting the Lord and seeking His grace, but of providing encouragement and a blessing to people.

Who were instantly transformed by the miracle they witnessed.

Andy

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