HIS VOICE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MONDAY, 28TH AUGUST 2023
TOPIC: EARNEST PRAYERS
TEXT: JAMES 5:17
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. KJV
An example of earnest prayer is described by the manner at which Elijah, the prophet prayed to God to cease the rain. Before we consider how he prayed, let’s turn our attention to the description of his personality. ‘Elijah was a man subject to like passion as we are’_ what does this means? The Amplified version will help us a great deal here, let’s read;
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. James 5:17 AMP
Did you read that carefully? Elijah, though a prophet of God was not an extra ordinary believer in the sense that he shared the same physical, mental, spiritual limitations and short comings as we are in this present day. Therefore, it is wrong to picture Elijah, as a special kind of person, who has greater merit before God. This isn’t to relegate the truth that he was God’s prophet but to bring our minds to the possibilities deposited in us by God as his children.
If Elijah, with those limitations and short comings can pray to God asking that it might not rain and God heard him and do as he demanded then, we can pray and God will hear and act upon our petition in accordance to his will. There is a great beauty when we fully understand our right in the Lord and give ourselves to its power in greater measure. Let’s read how Elijah declared his request before the Lord;
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. KJV
Behind this declaration and affirmation was his earnest prayer. He didn’t just have the boldness to make the decree of no rain before the King, Elijah had prayed earnestly, after which he declared to the King that there won’t be rain just as he has said.
The secret to bold declaration and astute conviction is an earnest prayer. It’s time to stop approaching prayer in a casual and insignificant manner. Let your spirit be alive in prayer. Engage the help of the Holy Spirit as you pray, and most importantly, pray with God’s words on your lips. The result is boldness and an undeniable conviction that will enable you to stand and decree God’s will on earth.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to maximize the privilege in prayer. Pour upon me the spirit of grace and supplication that I might stand in the place of prayer with great conviction by the power of your word and working of your spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen
Written by: Mopelola Oyeniran
My Counsel 