Love That Never Fails

70. Persistent Prayer

Collectively, our world is awaiting some good news. It seems that we have been holding our breath for many months, hoping for an end to this pandemic.  We just long for normal life to return and yet day after day, we are kept waiting. Many are waiting to see loved ones they have been separated from, others are waiting for business to resume.  A large number are waiting in queues to apply for unemployment benefits, for the first time in their lives and families are waiting to see if they can survive on a greatly reduced weekly budget!

As Christians, we have prayed for a glimmer of hope, but have we prayed fervently as Elijah did? Do we look expectantly for the Lord's provision even when many months have passed with little change?

After the triumphant moment when God sent fire from heaven, showing everyone that He was the one true God, Elijah had good news for King Ahab —the terrible drought was breaking!

"And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

"There is nothing there," he said.

Would Elijah give up and think that God had perhaps changed His mind? No, he continued waiting, hoping and praying:

Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."

The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea."

Even though this was a small cloud, Elijah knew that the tide was turning and God was about to pour down His blessing in the form of life giving rain!

So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.' "

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel."
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:41-46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Look at how Elijah was able to say to King Ahab that 'there was the sound of a heavy rain'. He was expectant even before there was any cloud to see! Would you dare to be as persistent in prayer as Elijah was? In this time of waiting, we need to speak words of faith and dig our heels in and pray like we've never prayed before! We will eventually see that glimmer of hope on the horizon just as Elijah did and finally experience the deluge of God's wonderful provision! Look with your eyes of faith and you too can smell the victorious outcome, way before it transpires!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

There is so much going on in our world in 2020, that it's sometimes hard to have a positive outlook! I'm so thankful that I can read Your Word and be reminded that as I prioritise persistent prayer,  You bring that glimmer of hope into view! Perhaps we have already seen it as vaccines for COVID-19 are being developed but I ask that there will be successful trials and a fast implementation into communities all around the world. I also pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones or struggling themselves with the illness right now. Lord please bring them comfort and healing in a Jesus' Name.

I also pray for the economic situation of many throughout the world. It seems to be a time where some people are still thriving as their jobs and businesses are unaffected but at the same time there are thousands who have lost so much and just don't know how they will be able to survive. Their plans and dreams for the future have been turned upside down.

Lord please bring hope to the hearts of all who are struggling and put a generous, compassionate spirit into those who are still doing well. Lord let us all know that You are working while we wait, just as the cloud was forming as Elijah prayerfully waited, please let us 'smell the rain' even before it arrives! I put all my hope in You, the God who always provides!

Amen.