Wednesday 14 October 2020

Prayerless prayers, Desperate times, and a Powerful God

 


Sometimes, when I pray, I don’t look for any answers. It’s embarrassing to even admit it. I mean, what does it say about my faith? Why bother to pray if I don’t expect God to answer? And if I expect Him to answer why am I not looking for the rain?

‘Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.’  ~ James 5: 17-18 ESV

I don’t know about you, but oftentimes I don’t feel like Elijah, much less act like Elijah.

First of all, Elijah prayed a big, miracle seeking prayer. How often do I do that?

Here’s the part of Elijah’s story that has been saturating my thoughts for the last few weeks.

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times.  And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’”  And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. ~ 1 Kings 18: 41-46 ESV

Seven times. Not once, not even thrice, but seven times. That’s how many times Elijah sent his servant to look toward the sea, expecting God’s promise to become reality. Seven times! Yet another way I don’t act like Elijah.

How often do you pray big, heaven opening and pouring out prayers? And do you keep on your knees persisting and persevering until you see the promise appear?

Or are you like me? Sometimes praying prayerless prayers laced with doubt?

What strikes me, even more, is Elijah’s faith when the tiny, distant cloud was finally spotted. As small as a man’s hand. So little, so far-off, I might have missed it. But it was enough for Elijah to move into action. God’s full answer was about to come thundering down.  

Sadly, in my life when I see the dimness of an answer, I’m often only cautiously hopeful. Mostly I get nervous, fearful that the promising mist of an answer might vanish before my eyes, fading away before the rain starts. It’s like I’m living expecting a drought and not the gracious outpouring of a powerful, faithful God.

But God, He tells me that I’m just like Elijah. An ordinary man praying to an omnipotent God.

If you’re like me and feel a little dried out from this rather unsettling year, I encourage you to remember who our God is. He is all-powerful and ever-faithful yet personal to each one who calls on His name. He ‘is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine’. (Ephesians 3:20)

Are we willing to take Him at His word? Are we willing to risk asking great things of our great God? Are we willing to look for the rain?

May these seven points from Elijah’s story refresh our parched faith and encourage us to expect great things from our great God.

Elijah prayed according to the word of God.

Elijah believed God would be faithful to keep his word.

Elijah persisted in prayer even when there was no sign of an answer.

God answered in His perfect timing.

Elijah acted in faith when the answer was still far away.

God strengthened Elijah for the journey ahead.

And perhaps, most encouragingly, Elijah was a man just like us. 

 

Okay, I’m ready. I’m praying for a miracle, and I’m walking with my umbrella.


What about you?

Do you pray for what you believe? Do you believe that even now in the midst of all the uncertainty God can show up in miraculous ways? What is God putting on your heart to pray for today?




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20 comments:

  1. Carrie, this post could have been taken right out of my own heart. Thank you sharing and helping me to refocus on an active prayer life. Blessings!

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    1. Thanks, Andi! God is calling us closer and inviting us to trust Him even more. Blessings as we journey, my sister.

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  2. I am really compelled to pray for our world and I ask God to forgive us for how we've really gone "off the rails." These are desperate times and I pray for those who do not yet know the love of Jesus.
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

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    1. Yes, Bev! I join you in prayer for our world and for all those who do not yet accept God's love for them. I'm grateful that God invites us to partner with Him in this way. Blessings!

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  3. It's so easy to get discouraged and feel like my prayers are falling on deaf ears, but I KNOW that isn't the case. I needed this reminder this morning and to remember that our God is so good and He wants us to bring everything to Him.

    Love,
    Annie

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    1. Yes, Annie, God's the best listener there is! He listens to our hearts and gives us just what we need for our good and His glory. He truly is a good God!

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  4. I love this! Especially your reminder of who God is! We need to remind ourselves everytime we pray of just who God is and what He is like. No good thing does He withhold from His children.

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    1. Thank you, Jerralea! God promises to work everything out for our good and His glory! Isn't that amazing?

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  5. Amen! Thank you for the reminder to pray in faith and walk with our umbrella open. I needed this reminder today. And I love the open umbrella metaphor!

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    1. I'm needing it too, Jed! Too often my prayers seem to be limited in my expecation of God. But our God is great and can do great things beyond our imagining. May we never lose that sense of awe and wonder.

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  6. This is a great post! I agree, it can be hard to persevere in prayer or to trust that God will really answer. I love Elijah's example.

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    1. Thanks, Lesley! I'm finding such encouragement from Elijah's story!

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  7. Great post! God always answers prayers - not always in the way we ask or expect, but He does. We just need to keep going to Him on our knees. Thank you for this encouragement.

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    1. Yes, God always answers - yes, no, or wait. May we have the faith to keep on praying believing.

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  8. Today has been a day of crying out to The Lord. For Nigeria, and several close family friends in dire need of a healing touch from Jesus.

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    1. I'm so thankful to God that He hears the cries of our hearts. Praying alongside you for Nigeria and may God rain down healing blessings on your friends.

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  9. This is convicting in all the best ways!

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    1. Thanks, Lauren! For me as well. Blesings to you!

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  10. Oh, Carlie...you are so right. I do need to pray big. These desperate times call for bold prayers. Thank you for this wonderful (and so well-written) reminder!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! May we have faith to take these big, bold requests to our great God.

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