Prayers of Passion

Scripture: James 5:17 & 18 - (Amplified)

Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have (with feelings, affections, and a consitution like ours), and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months (I Kings 17:1). And (then) he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced it's crops [as usual] - (I Kings 18:42-45). 

Elijah was a passionate prophet who cared sincerely about the will of the Lord. He was so passionate that he prayed that there would be no rain for three years because the new king of Israel (Ahab, son of Omri), did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all the others before him.  Elijah was not concerned about how he himself would be taken care of. He went against the grain without fear of the consequences. He did not worry about what he would eat, or what he would drink. His desire was that the presence of the Lord would be the center of worship; and not the false dieties that Ahab was resurrecting.

Elijah prayed that the rain would cease for a span of three years, except at his word. When he prayed this prayer, God heard him, and instructed him on what to do next. He told Elijah where to go, so that he would be protected from the wrath of Ahab. He also told Elijah that he would drink from the brook. God also told Elijah that He had commanded the ravens to feed him at Kerith Ravine; east of the Jordan. Elijah was divinely taken care of for the span of three years and six months, during the time when there was a drought and famine in the land.

This drought continued until there was a shift in the heart of the people to worship God as Lord. (I Kings 18). When there was a shift in the minds of the people, Elijah told the king to go and eat, for he heard the sound of a heavy rain.

Elijah humbled himself, putting his face between his knees, and prayed for rain until the evidence of his prayer was answered. Elijah prayed and instructed his servant to look toward the sea and report back what he saw.

Elijah continued to pray until his servant came back with a good report. On the seventh time his servant testified that there was a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea. Elijah prayed that the rains from the heavens would be released upon the earth as usual to produce it's fruit, and God answered his prayer.

When we see injuustices done that are blatantly against the will of God, we should also be so moved to pray as Elijah did; so that the will of God will be evident among all men and women.

When we ourselves have issues that need to be resolved, we should pray that God would help us be integral in everything that we do. Praying for integrity, and being integral, is not an overnight occurence. We should always continue to pray for change in ourselves, in order to be a witness for others.

• Why should injuustices continue without rebuke?
• Why should innocent children be the causualty of man's lack of restraint?
• Why should the poor be the entertainment of those who despise them?
• How can we continue to improve in our walk with the Lord?  

We have the ability to make a difference. That ability is the power of prayer, that God has given us to shift the atmosphere for his glory. When we pray, God will hear us, and grant our requests; just like he heard Elijah. God will hear the heart of love and concern that He placed within each and every one of His children. He will be quick to move; out of our sincere desire for His will to be done.

Reflection:
Elijah was a perfect example of what we should do as children of God. He knew the will of God, and he had a heart to serve God, as well as the people. Therefore, he prayed for change. He did not complain about what the people were doing. He went straight to the throne of God, and prayed for divine intervention, to change the position of comfortability of the people; to do what they wanted to do.

If your heart strings are being tugged on about an element of change in your life, and in the lives of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or others, began praying every day until you see a shift in the natural realm; and God will hear, and answer your prayer.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank you for the ability to prayer. I ask that you continually place on my heart the things that you would like me to pray for. I thank you for answering the prayers that you give me the ability to speak. I praise you in advance for the manifestation of your will being done on earth, as it is in heaven, in my life, in the life of my family, friends, neighbors, business associates, and everyone else that you put in my path. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions: James 5:17 - 18

Elijah: 2243
Elijah = "my God is Jehovah"

1) a prophet born at Thisbe, the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah. He was taken up to heaven without dying, whence the Jews expected he would return just before the advent of the Messiah, whom he would prepare the minds of the Israelites to receive.

Nature: 3663
1) suffering the like with another, of like feelings or affections

Prayed: 4336
1) to offer prayers, to pray

Earnestly: 4335
1) prayer addressed to God

2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
a) a synagogue
b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue

1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer

That it would not rain: 1026
1) to moisten, wet, water
2) to water with rain, to cause to rain, to pour the rain, to send down like rain

On the earth: 1093
1) arable land

2) the ground, the earth as a standing place
3) the main land as opposed to the sea or water
4) the earth as a whole
a) the earth as opposed to the heavens
b) the inhabited earth, the abode of men and animals

5) a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region

Months: 3376
1) a month
2) the time of the new moon, new moon (the first day of each month, when the new moon appeared was a festival among the Hebrews)

James - 5:18

Again: 3825
1) anew, again
a) renewal or repetition of the action
b) again, anew
2) again, i.e. further, moreover
3) in turn, on the other hand

And the sky: 3772
1) the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it
a) the universe, the world
b) the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced
c) the sidereal or starry heavens
2) the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings

Poured: 1325
1) to give
2) to give something to someone
a) of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage
1) to bestow a gift
b) to grant, give to one asking, let have
c) to supply, furnish, necessary things
d) to give over, deliver
1) to reach out, extend, present
2) of a writing
3) to give over to one's care, intrust, commit
a) something to be administered
b) to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed
e) to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward
f) to furnish, endue

3) to give
a) to cause, profuse, give forth from one's self
1) to give, hand out lots
b) to appoint to an office
c) to cause to come forth, i.e. as the sea, death and Hell are said to give up the dead who have been engulfed or received by them
c) to give one to someone as his own

1) as an object of his saving care
2) to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master
3) to give one to someone to care for his interests
4) to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return
4) to grant or permit one
a) to commission

Produced: 985
1) to sprout, bud, put forth new leaves
2) to produce

It's fruit: 2590
1) fruit
a) the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields
b) the fruit of one's loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity
2) that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result
a) work, act, deed
b) advantage, profit, utility
c) praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering
d) to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal life

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "James's Epistle 5 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 15 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jam&c=5&t=NASB >

Higgins, S. (2009). Prayers of Passion. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing, http://www.higginspublishing.com, http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com