James 5:17-18 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”
We tend to place biblical figures in a category far above and far superior to our experience. The heroes of the Bible must be super-spiritual, super-Christian, super-mature. We, on the other hand, are just the normal, run-of-the-mill, average, struggling believer. James says that is not the case! Elijah was just as average as we. Elijah was just as fallen, just as in need of a Savior, just as capable of sin, just as weak and frail and human as the rest of us. He had a nature just like ours!
That is what makes Elijah’s prayers so amazing! This normal, average, human believer prayed for it not to rain, and it didn’t! He prayed for it to rain, and it did! That’s amazing! So what’s the difference between us and Elijah because we certainly are not lifting up rain-ceasing or rain-causing prayer? Are you ready for this? The biggest difference is that Elijah prayed - most often we don’t! And when he prayed, he prayed fervently! And the way he prayed was according to God’s will (1 Kings 17:1).
Don’t miss the context of James’ Elijah insight! The context is forgiveness and salvation (vv15-16). That is where the Bible says the prayer of a righteous person has great power, and Elijah was James’ example!
Fervent, God-glorifying prayer can open the heavens, and even more amazing, it can open hearts! Now let’s get to praying!
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