Posted: 05 July 2023

From a sermon given on 02 July 2023:

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
(James 5:17)

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
(James 5:18)

Elijah was a man subject to the same weakness and infirmities like other men. He was capable of suffering from the same things and being affected in a similar manner as happens in our times. He had the same challenges an ordinary person goes through on a day to day life. Just like us, he had his high and low moments!

Elijah's prayers were certainly powerful and effective. He prayed and no rain fell in Israel for three and a half years. Then he prayed again and the rain came. *He prayed that the national idolatry in Israel (worship of Baal) should be punished by a drought and once they repented, he prayed for the showers of blessings. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective!

Don't write yourself off. As it has been rightfully said before, God does not have a dustbin for prayers. Our heavenly father hears the prayers of ordinary people. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
(Luke 11:9)

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
(Luke 11:10)

Further readings:

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
(1Kings 1:10)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
(Matthew 7:7)

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
(Acts 14:8-15)