Why Pray?

Why Pray?

Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

1 Kings 18:37 KJV

Israel had wandered away from God. They had settled in the land of Canaan, but had allowed the culture and traditions of the land to influence them. The rules and commands of God had been ignored, and the people now had varieties of gods they were serving. First lesson: never get too comfortable or familiar with God that you think you got him figured out. Whatever he calls sin remains sin, no matter how popular or powerful contrary opinion is.

In the midst of the rot, God preserved Elijah as one of his own. Second lesson: It doesn't matter how bad or evil a generation is, God always has a voice on his side. It may be 1 or 2 people, but with God on your side, it doesn't matter what the quality or quantity of the opposition is. As long as you speak for God, He will always back you up. When the right time to confront evil came, Elijah challenged the false prophets to a contest to see which God is the true God. Third lesson: Don't dare claim you speak for God if you have not been sent. God always honours his Word, but the vessel to be used must be totally submitted. 

And we know how the story ends, but the prayer of Elijah here is instructive. He had NO doubt that God answers prayers, but He wanted the people to know who the true God is. Fourth lesson: when all you desire is God's glory and praise, you open the door for God to show Himself strong on your behalf. When you draw men's attention to God, you draw God's amazing favour into your life. There is no room for self-promotion; if God is glorified, he promises that He will draw men to Himself. You can't do anything by your own power to fast track it; you can only depend on God's amazing timing to work out whatever is His perfect will.

So I pray, not because I have all the answers now, but because I want God to be glorified in me. I surrender my life to God, because I know His plans for me are perfect. I seek His glory and praise in all I do, and I promise by his grace never to take any glory for whatever He does. I pray that as I live, men will see His power, might and glory made manifest in abundant measure in my life. What about you? His time of favour is here.