The Prayer and Pressures of Elijah

Today we read 1 Kings 17-19 and Colossians 2.

We often study the prayers of Scripture and in today's readings we come across a great one.  Elijah is facing the many Baal prophets and they are calling on their gods for rain.  While they attempted to draw fire from the heavens, Elijah mocked.  When their attempts were complete, Elijah doused his altar with water before praying for God to do a mighty work.  He then prayed- 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.” - 1 Kings 18.36-37.
What a powerful prayer!  How many more of our prayers would be answered if we wanted Him to answer so that the Lord would be make more known to others?  God answered his prayers mightily. 

I believe it is just as important to notice 1 Kings 19.  Elijah bottomed out. His enemies were pursuing him and he felt sure that he would die at their hands. He asked, instead, that the Lord would take him. How can a man have God move through his life in such a powerful way and then quickly seem in such despair?  Well, it happens.  We don't stay on the mountaintop all the time.  None of us do. You are not alone in your struggles.  The devil will try to convince you that you are.  He will try to convince you that no one has been there, no one understands, and no one cares.  NOT TRUE!!! None of it is true. 

Let's seek the Lord in our every trial and rest in the confidence of knowing that He is always there.  He has provided a host of people, called the church, that care deeply about our struggles and pray with us through them...even when we don't sense it.  Remember something: the Lord's presence is not based upon your feelings, your emotions, or your trials.  His Presence is based on His Promises.  That is what we rest in and I believe we need the Word of God daily so that we will often be reminded. 

Speaking of valleys, today is a different day for us.  We plan to attend a local church in Hattiesburg and celebrate Father's Day with Dawn's father this afternoon in a local hospital.  We also wait with great anticipation as Dawn's father, W.C. Sumrall, has surgery on Monday morning.  It will be a lot of surgery for a man as sick as he is, but it can make his life better and, maybe, a little longer, if it is successful.  After losing their mother last year at Thanksgiving, there is a lot of sickness and death in Dawn and her brother's, Brad, lives these days.  It is a valley.   Thank God for the host of people, the church, that are so supportive prayerfully.  Thank God for His Presence that is just as real as His Promises.  

Let's rest in that today and let's thank God for Godly fathers that have given us so much in Christ.  Love you, Pop, and thank you for being the Godly father that you have always been for me!