Fervent Prayer
Now Playing: How often do we look to the Lord in prayer ?
Topic: Prayer
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Elijah
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:20-22 James 5:16-17
Fervent Prayer

1 Kings 17:20-22

"Then he cried out to the Lord and said, "O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?" And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, "O Lord my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him." Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived."

Fervent Prayer

E. M. Bounds wrote, "What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Spirit can use?men of prayer, men mighty in prayer."

Elijah was such a man. When faced with a major crisis?the death of a young boy, the only child of a widow who had shown him much kindness?he immediately resorted to the most potent power he knew: prayer. Without hesitation, he cast himself upon the mercy of God and cried out for His grace to be extended to this young man and his widowed mother. With passion Elijah entreated the Lord, and He answered. It is no surprise, then, that when the apostle James looked for an example of fervent prayer, he chose Elijah (James 5:16-17). The prophet was a man mighty in prayer because he was fervent in prayer.

Too often Christians petition God with room-temperature prayers. They convey the facts, but they lack the fervor. They are sincere, but they don't sizzle. The same men and women who yell themselves hoarse at a sporting event become reluctant to raise their voice when speaking to God. Yet they expect an enthusiastic response from God to their halfhearted requests.

Find a time and place today where you can pour out your heart to God. Don't fake your emotions, but pray for those needs that have a strong grip on your spirit. If you have none, ask God to give you some. Let your approach to God reflect the urgency and the ardor of your concerns.

(from W. Kroll)