The Prayer of Elijah (The Prayer of the Righteous, Part 2)
The Prayer of the Righteous • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro
Intro
Text - James 5.17-18
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
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
Sermon Points
What are the characteristics of “earnest prayer”?
Earnest prayer is borne out of deep concern for the object of 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
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.
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
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
Conclusion