Vol. 2, No. 2 – 2017
Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and fell to the ground and prayed. 1 Kings 18:42
Last year I began to write a mid-month blog. I want to continue that framework this year and continue to think toward people God uses. We live in a world that is the product of decisions of people—not all of the decisions are good. Leadership in our world is unreliable at best; there is good, however, there is a lot to be done and the One leader that is dependable.
Thomas Paine wrote in a Revolutionary War pamphlet, The Crisis, “These are times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in the crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”
A believer in Almighty God may be tempted to “adjust” the verbiage; however, the principle remains. We live in a nation that is in deep turmoil. The division of the people is profound. Absolute truth contends with the secular and pagan philosophies. Leaders seek to have authority over that which is not theirs to have. Some leaders are profound—they recognize their accountability and seek to be righteous, just, and respectful toward people that God has placed them over.
The percentages for each “side” are not small—and they are fairly evenly divided. Thus, it seems to the rational person that progress may not be attainable. However, is that true?
Elijah faced 450 prophets of Baal. He was one person, and he blew the prophets of Baal off Mount Carmel. King Ahab just goes on drinking, eating, and mingling with the decadent attendants of his administration. Elijah bends his knee in prayer to the Almighty God, the One True Leader.
Elijah, the following leader of God, prays for God to release the famine. God does exactly that.
The sky was soon black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm . . ..The Lord gave special strength to Elijah. 1 Kings 18:45-46
The person God uses seeks His power, His leadership. History depicts the chronology of developing power; manpower, animal power, waterpower, steam power, dynamite/TNT, and even atomic power. However, there is no power equal to prayer power—to the power residing in Almighty God.
Leonard Ravenhill speaks of the lack of prayer power in the Church:
The Church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. Do not mistake action for unction, commotion for creation, nor rattles for revivals.
Institutions, businesses, and governments follow suit being no different; thus, the prevailing philosophy in our nation is man-centered. While there are those on the other side of the divide that are nominally God-centered, there are too many asleep at the switch to make the difference expected.
Are you one of them?
Prayer is simple; it is quietly opening a door
Slipping into the presence of God
There in the stillness, listen to His voice
Perhaps to petition, or listen
Being in His presence begins your prayer
