Persistence in Prayer

In the context of praying for God’s healing for one another please note the example of persistent prayer given to us by Elijah. James says he prayed fervently and it did not rain and that he prayed again and it rained. If we read the actual account of this in 1 Kings 18:43-44 we find an interesting detail.  He prayed 7X before it rained. Elijah was persistent in prayer.

James 5:16–18 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

1 Kings 18:41–45  

⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. ⁴³ And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. ⁴⁴ And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’ ” ⁴⁵ And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.

Let us resolve that we will pray as often and as much as it takes for those affected by this virus. Let us be persistent in prayer.

“The prayer of a man whose heart is right with God works wonders.” – William McDonald – The Believers Bible Commentary