Today’s Bible Verse
The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
James 5:16b (AMPC)
Heartfelt, Continued Prayers
Elijah’s prayers were heartfelt. He didn’t half-heartedly approach prayer. He was sincere and genuine in his requests. He also continued in prayer. He prayed with persistence and determination, unwilling to give up until he received an answer.
Elijah didn’t approach prayer as a last resort and give up easily. Paul tells us, “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]” (1Thess. 5:17 AMPC). We should persevere in prayer as Elijah did: Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’” (I Kings 18:41-44 NKJV)
He prayed for rain without immediate results, but perseverance paid off. God sent a downpour. (Pastor Henry Acevedo)
Change My Story
We can learn a lot from Elijah.
- Seconds after praying in faith, stay in faith!
- We cannot speak words of faith in prayer and then speak words of doubt after prayer.
- Let’s keep our faith consistent.
Consistent faith equals consistent results.
I remember a time in our business when cash flow was tight, so I was praying and confessing the word over our finances: “God meets all our needs. He gives me power to get wealth to establish His covenant…”
Reminding God of His Word, I prayed fervently. I left my prayer closet that morning and went to a meeting I had with a client. After the meeting, he asked me, “How’s business?” I said business is slow. As soon as I said that the Holy Spirit convicted me sharply. I felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me. My client looked at me funny. I know he saw my countenance change. I left; I got in my car, and the Spirit of God said, “What did you tell him about your business?”
I answered, “I told him business is slow.”
The Lord said, “That’s not what you said to me in your prayer closet.”
I said, “I know, but wouldn’t that be like lying if I told him anything different?”
He reminded me of what Paul said in Romans 4:17: “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
I realized we must speak things into existence, by faith. It’s like Abraham. He was first called the “father of many nations” before he became the father of many nations.
Today’s Declaration
Thank You, Lord, for teaching me the power of the tongue. I will not say what I see, but I will declare what shall be!
