Persevering Prayer – Part 5
04 September 2022 |
3:28 am
Elijah’s prayer in 1 Kings 18:41-46 makes an interesting reading on persevering prayers. It contains many lessons for us to learn from.
Elijah’s prayer in 1 Kings 18:41-46 makes an interesting reading on persevering prayers. It contains many lessons for us to learn from.
Elijah had the sound of the abundance of rain, which he was determined to actualise. A sound is a sensation perceived by the sense of hearing. For the spiritually sensitive person, sounds may be heard in the inner man than in the ears. It may be false or real. But Elijah had cause to believe the sound he heard because God had promised him that he would send rain. God said to him: “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth,” 1 Kings 18.1 NKJV.
Convinced that he heard the Lord correctly, Elijah gave himself to unceasing prayers to actualise the sound he heard. Persevering prayer brings into reality what our spirit man sees or hears. Persevering prayer is unceasing and seeks the attainment of the promises of God. It is unwavering in the pursuit to actualise the promises of God. “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth,” 1 Kgs 18.1 NKJV. What sound of future blessing do you hear? Is it kingdom related? Does it glorify Christ? Then, it is from God; give yourself to it and pursue it.
His posture in prayer, his head buried in between his knees, says a lot about his determination to get a response from God. It teaches us that prayer is a serious business, which requires serious attention. Elijah did not bring the casual poise some of us have to prayer. He was determined and focused. Granted, we all have different personalities, but we can also be serious when we want to.
After the first attempt, the response of his servant who went to check out if the rain cloud was forming, was: “There is nothing.” Enough to discourage any intercessor! But the prophet was adamant, “go again” he said to his servant. Persevering prayer requires persistence. Those who persevere in prayer have a streak of stubbornness.
The cheering news Elijah wanted to hear came during the seventh time. The fist-like cloud was all he needed to know that the breakthrough had come. “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 and go down before the rain stops you.’” (1 Kgs.18:44 NKJV).
What could have happened if Elijah had given up after the discouraging reports: “There is nothing.” That we don’t see any immediate results during our prayers does not mean that the evidence would not come. There is always a build-up or a gathering of momentum before we get to the climax. To give up midway would have meant an anti-climax, a loss of momentum. Keep on building up the momentum in whatever you do in the kingdom. Keep on serving, keep on studying the word, keep on living a holy life, keep on worshipping, keep on giving and sowing, keep on trusting in the Lord, and keep on confessing the right words. Like Abraham, keep on hoping against hope; someday and sometimes, they will all add up. God sees and knows your efforts and labour of love. In due season, the results will come!
Once Elijah was sure the rain was about to fall and had announced it to King Ahab, with the help of the Lord, he then, outran the King. The hand of the Lord gives us speed and helps us to overtake.
• Contact:[email protected]
Related
Latest
38 mins ago
President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate, requesting it to confirm Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede's appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.
50 mins ago
At 75, Lady Maiden Alex Ibru continues to inspire with her timeless elegance, her kindness, and a life rich in experiences. She opens up about her style secrets, life lessons, and the values that have guided her through the decades. When Lady Maiden Alex Ibru walks into her Greek-inspired home on a warm Tuesday morning,…
51 mins ago
The conclusion of the whole livestock matter here is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can get better rating without involving media blitz if he can harness the human capital and indeed the intellectual power in Nigeria
52 mins ago
The dust from the Ondo State Governorship Election is yet to settle when former President Olusegun Obasanjo fired a salvo, calling for the sack of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu
1 hour ago
The above quote sits as a frame on the aisle of Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru’s residence. She holds it dearly and has her reasons for that. “A friend of mine had a wedding and I was invited. While leaving to my car, I went through the cemetery and there I saw the graveside of John Wesley
1 hour ago
On its 76th Foundation Day Anniversary, the University of Ibadan has decided to establish the Wole Soyinka Institute in honour of one of its illustrious alumni, the Nobel Laureate, Oluwole Akinwande Babatunde Soyinka,
1 hour ago
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said that his administration will award the contract for the construction of Alagbole-Akute and Akute-Oke-Aro-Ijoko roads in Ifo Local Council of the state in the next two weeks.
1 hour ago
The signing, by the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) recently of separate deals with 75 conversion firms nationwide as part of government’s policy of reducing addiction to petrol and diesel is timely
1 hour ago
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recertified the aerodromes of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos four years after their initial certifications lapsed.
1 hour ago
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has assured the Defence Headquarters Joint Monitoring Team that the PAP will support their mandate to curb crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.