definite and specific. Elijah asked the Lord for something and Eli jah's prayers were answered. Alex ander Whyte long ago said, "Elijah put all his passion into his praying." I wonder if we do the same? There is a motto which states, "Prayer changes things." While this is true, more than that, prayer also changes the one who does the praying. Do you have some changes that you need to see effected? Then turn to God. For the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much! GOD ANSWERS PRAYER I know not by what methods rare, But this I know, God answers prayer; I know that He has given His Word, Which tells me prayer is always heard, And will be answered, soon or late And so I pray, and calmly wait. I know not if the blessings sought Will come in just the way I thought; But leave my prayers with Him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own, Assured that He will grant my quest, Or send some answer far more blest.
modity which avails much. If God calls for fervency, He is not asking for a mere tipping of the hat in passing. No wonder our children are confused by our lack of con sistency. Our prayers are not to change God but rather that our lives may be changed and conformed to His perfect will. Only in this way can we find the victory and strength we need. St. Augustine rightly asked, "Oh Lord, grant that I may never seek to bend the straight to the crooked, that is, Thy will to mine. But that I may ever bend the crooked to the straight, that is, my will to Thine, that Thy will may be done and Thy kingdom come." Our text in James is immediate ly followed by an example of ef fectual, fervent praying by Elijah. Notice verse 17 tells us that, "He 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 space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven brought forth her fruit." Did you ever stop to think about the fact that prayer is really the greatest weapon any believer could possib ly have? This was certainly found out by Elijah as he came to the realization of what God was wait ing to do in his life on behalf of the wayward Israelites. He knew he would have to defeat the wicked prophets of Baal (see this story re counted in I and II Kings). Keep in mind that it was just as difficult for Elijah to step out on faith then as it is for us now. He had the same experiences of life as we do. One translation says, "Elijah, a man of human frailities just like our own." The prayer Elijah offered was
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