Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. – James 5:17-18
In the Bible, prophet Elijah’s uniqueness was portrayed in his accurate prophecies, calling down fire from heaven and raising the dead back to life.
Furthermore, Elijah did not die but was taken to heaven. His ministry was so unique that John the Baptist, (the forerunner of the Messiah), came in the spirit and power of Elijah. (Malachi 4:5; Luke 1:17, Matthew 11:14). Elijah also appeared to Christ the Messiah at the mount of transfiguration (Luke 9:30).
Despite Elijah’s impressive Old Testament and New Testament C.V, James depicts that he was just as human as we are. Elijah was not an angel; he definitely was not the Messiah (Jesus alone is Lord), he was a normal human being just like you and me.
So, what made this “normal” human to have great power and significance before God?
James 5:16 The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much (AMP)
Elijah was a man with human limitations (hunger, thirst, emotions, desire to sleep, etc) like we have, but his fervency and consistency in prayer set him apart.
He showed his passion for God’s power by his heartfelt and persistent prayer and his prayer produced results. On one occasion; he prayed seven times for it to rain (1st Kings 18:41-46)
As a true believer, you have received a right standing with God by repenting of your sins and accepting that Christ died for you on the cross. This right standing is intended to bring you into an intimate friendship with God, and a life of intimacy and power with God that is only possible by prayer.
There are tremendous possibilities available to you if only you will choose to be a man or woman of prayer.
PRAYER: Dear Father, teach me and give me the grace to pray fervently and according to your will that I may experience your presence and power in my life in Jesus name.
For further study: 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2