Prayer in the Right Order

The world is full of arrogant men and women. We have enough of those who seek the glory and prestige of the age. We need more men and women who know the immense value of humility and prayer. Elijah is like that man.

1 Kings 18:41–42 (ESV) And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 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.

This is just after the slaughter of the prophets of Baal. Think of Elijah slaughtering those prophets the next time you want to imagine this Biblical hero along the lines of a seriously committed Sunday School teacher.

But I digress back to Elijah's prayer life. We should look at what Elijah has thus prayed for in the land of Israel. First, he prayed for a drought that they might be chastised for their sins. This prayer was answered and the nation was in crisis mode and ready for a work of God. Secondly, he prayed for fire from the heavens after making an alter of 12 stones and calling for the fire at the time of the offering...

1 Kings 18:36–37 (ESV) And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

The phrase, "at the time of the offering of the oblation" is important. Elijah knows there are protocols for the worship of Yahweh. Unlike the other nations, Israel was to be governed in their worship by the Torah with dates and times set by God, not their own inclinations. 

But this prayer for fire is interesting. Who needs fire during a drought? No one. But this fire was symbolic of the purifying work of God. The sacrifices of Israel's law were intended to bring the worshipper back to Yahweh with confidence as their sins were put away and their community was purified. This prayer for fire had to be first because before we should expect anything from God we should seek His purification for our sins. 

Leviticus 1:7 (ESV) and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.

It is only after this offering by fire was made that the worshipper was made right with God. Elijah models for us the right approach to the Lord. We don't come asking for what we think we need before we seek what He knows we need - forgiveness of sins and cleansing. This is always the pathway to the presence and provision of God. After the fire offering, Elijah goes up the mountain to pray for their needs - rain. 

This is why we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Because we are acknowledging our sins are cleansed by Him alone and we have the right to come into the presence of God because of that final offering. 

Notice also the persistence of Elijah's prayer once again in this case for rain:

1 Kings 18:43–44 (ESV) 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. 44 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.’ ”

Your sins are taken away, you have access to God and you pray. But not everyone gets what they ask for immediately. Even Elijah had to persist in prayer seven times. You may ask why? Perhaps it is at the very least God's way of keeping you where you belong - on your knees, in humility, seeking His purpose and plan in your life.