Today, we look at persistently praying for God to answer our specific needs. Elijah is on Mount Carmel, praying for fire as a demonstration of God’s power over the idol of Ba’al, then praying for rain to come after three and a half years of drought in the land. God listen’s to Elijah’s prayers, and answers with fire from heaven and rain from the sky. God listen’s to our prayers to, as we pray for our world, our frontlines, our neighbours, our families and ourselves.

Talk

You’ll find it helpful to read the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16-46) before you watch the talk.

This is part 3 of our series Elijah: Human, just like us.

The talk is also available as audio only.

Going Deeper

If you want to engage more deeply with the teaching, try exloring some of these resources.

Intercession and Petition sessions from The Prayer Course by 24-7 Prayer.

COVID-19 Prayer Journey from LICC.

1 Kings 18 in the Enduring Word Commentary.

Sign up for Horsham Church’s Together Virtual Prayer Room as part of Thy Kingdom Come prayer event.

Reflection

These questions are written to help you reflect on this week’s teaching. You may like to relfect on them as on your own, or with others.

1

Why did Elijah challege King Ahab and the prophets of Ba’al to showdown on Mount Carmel?2

2

What is the difference between the way the prophets of Ba’al prayed (1 Kings 18:26-29) and the way Elijah prayed (1 Kings 18:36-38)

3

Elijah was specific when he prayed. Do you pray for specific things or do you prayer more generally. Should our prayers be one or the other, or is there room for both?

4

In 1 Kings 18:43-44, Elijah asks his servant to check for signs of God answering his prayer. Why do you think Elijah asked him to do this?

5

Elijah prayed once for fire, and seven times for rain. What does that tell us about perseverance in prayer?

6

What answers to prayer have you seen in your life? What are you still praying for?

7

Explore these New Testament passages on prayer: Luke 18:1-8, Ephesians 6:18-20, Colossians 1:9-14, Colossians 4:12. What do these teach us about persistence in prayer?

8

What will you do differently this week, having thought about persistence in prayer and seen how God powerfully answered Elijah’s specific prayers?

Worship Songs of the Week