Prayer: Example of Elijah

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Rick Rescorla was on the 44th floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower when a large jet rammed into the North Tower. Officials told everyone to stay put, but Rescorla ignored them. A Vietnam veteran in charge of corporate security at Morgan Stanley, he aggressively evacuated the company’s 2,700 employees to safety—six died, but the rest made it. He himself died when the South Tower collapsed.

Rick Rescorla sacrificed his life saving others. Elijah was also a true hero, putting his life on the line to call the Israelites back to the Lord. He’s also a perfect illustration of yesterday’s principle, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (v. 16).

In saying that Elijah “was a human being, even as we are” (v. 17), James didn’t mean to say that he was just an average guy. James was emphasizing that the amazing miracles were the work of God, not Elijah. God had control of the three-year drought and the rains that finally came. Elijah simply prayed (v. 18). As we recall the story, as doubtless James’ Jewish readers did, this miracle took place immediately following the dramatic confrontation with the priests of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel. Elijah had also prayed there, and God had answered him with fire. The people had responded, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).

If God is in control of all that happens in nature and human history, how can prayer make a difference? Because our Lord delights in the prayers of His people. We might not understand the ways that God’s sovereignty accommodates our prayer, but we can believe His Word and obey His command to pray.

Pray with Us

In your prayers today, please mention members of the Moody Aviation Shop: Joel Powell, the production mechanic and instructor, and Neal Bachman, the director of maintenance operations. Will you praise God for the vital training they provide?

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.