Effective Prayer

 When we pray there are certain things that we must do for our prayers to be effective. Some people think they can just go to God and ask for whatever they want, and God is obligated to give them what they are requesting. Then, when God doesn't answer that way, they get mad at God. They may even think that God isn't really real, but at least, they think that He doesn't care about them. God is very real, and He cares, but we have to go to Him in the right way.

Elijah knew how to pray, and he knew what he needed to do for his prayers to be effective. He prayed, and it did not rain for years, until he prayed again. God told him to go to Zarephath, and a widow would feed him and care for him. He went, and God provided, but later her son died. Then, Elijah prayed for her son to live again. (I Kings 17:22) The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned to him, and he revived, a fantastic miracle after an effective prayer. This could happen for any of us.

The book of James tells us that Elijah was a man just like any other man. He wasn't given any extra grace to have his prayers answered or to have extra power from God. Elijah simply trusted the Lord, humbly. God saw His heart, and He used him in great ways. God wants that to happen to all of us, but it all depends on our faith. Elijah knew that God could raise that boy from the dead. He prayed based on that sincere faith, and God heard his prayer.

Also, Elijah did not order God to raise the child just because he wanted Him to do that. He humbly asked the Lord, why the widow's son had died. Then, He prayed, knowing that the boy would live again only if it was God's will. Elijah was seeking God's will not his own. He wasn't being selfish at all. He was being caring for the widow, and relying upon the grace and mercy of God. If we will do these things, our prayers can be effective to see the Lord do great things, as well.

#NHBaptistdotorg

Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 18-22.