Text: 1 Kings 18:41-46
Memory verse:
“And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:44 NKJV
There is a world of difference between hot water and boiling water. Although, in temperature measurement, the difference may be negligible but remarkable in result or effect. At 211°F, water is still hot, but at 212°F it begins to boil. Just 1° difference? Yes. It is the steam of the boiling water that generates the energy required to move a locomotive, but hot water doesn’t produce steam.
“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Jam 5:16). The NLT says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
The word ‘fervent’ is translated as ‘boil’, ‘burn’, or ‘stretch out’. Its opposite includes indifferent, casual, apathetic, cold, unenthusiastic, and unexcited. Thus, fervent prayer is heart-moving, earnest, persistent, and intent. It engulfs the whole being.
In our text, we see how Elijah prayed to bring down rain, even though the scripture doesn’t give us details of how he shut the heavens except his declaration. We know that every effective public declaration is usually preceded or backed up by fervent prayer in the closet. Now, after declaring the coming of abundant rain, Elijah went up to Mount Carmel with his servant to pray in order to avoid any form of distractions. His posture indicates how he was so gripped by his prayer. (1 Kings 18:42). So also did Jesus withdraw with His disciples to the Mount of Olives, where He prayed fervently. “He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” (Luke 22:44 NLT). What a heart-moving prayer!
Elijah prayed persistently and for seven times until he got an answer (1 Kings 18:44). Jesus also continued in prayer until the third time (Matt 26:44-45).
Sometimes ago, a man was praying with a brother, and his phone rang. Instantly, he stopped praying to pick up the call. Having ended the call, he continued the prayer and said, “Father, we are sorry for the break in communication”. Can you call this a fervent prayer? Today, many pray with this kind of unserious attitude. Some position themselves where they are easily distracted, greeting every passerby while others lazily take sleeping postures. What deceptions!
Friends, fervent prayer has great power and produces wonderful results. Keep away distractions, stay alert, be persistent, and pray earnestly.
Prayer points
1. Father, please pour on me the Spirit of prayer and help me to be fervent and earnest in the place of prayer, in Jesus’ name.
2. I come against every lukewarmness and complacency in my prayer life, and I refuse to be distracted in the place of prayer, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. Fervent prayer has tremendous power and produces great results.
2. Cold, unenthusiastic, unexciting, and apathetic prayers don’t move heaven.
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