GOD ANSWERS PRAYER
GOD ANSWERS PRAYER
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:17-18)
James, who wrote this inspired letter, was the brother of our Lord. He began: “James, a servant of God an of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” (James 1:1) They were scattered, as you know, by a persecution that began with the stoning of Stephen (See Acts 7:54-8:4). It must have been a great encouragement to them to be reminded that “The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well” and that “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:15, 16)
To encourage them to pray James used the example of Elijah. He was a “man just like us.” This is not unusual for God has consistently chosen to work with ordinary people. In this way, when victory comes, it will be evident that God will get the glory and not man. The first mention of Elijah in the Bible is in 1 Kings 17:1: “Now Elijah, the Tishbite, from Tisbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel. Lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.’” The name “Elijah” means “Yahweh is my God.” He appears abruptly in the history of Israel without any introduction, human references, or earthly credentials. Yet “He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”
The fact that God would use a man like Elijah is not unique. Consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
Paul practiced what he preached: “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Consider the example of Gideon. He was amazed that God chose him as a judge to deliver Israel. He asked God, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15) When Gideon assembled an army of 32,000 God had him send all of them home but 300 “In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her.” (Judges 7:1-7)
When God uses ordinary people like Elijah, Gideon, or us, the glory obviously belongs to Him!
Jesus once told a parable to show his disciples that men ought always to pray and not to give up, The parable was about a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. The judge, however, granted the humble widow’s request and said to himself: “Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me! And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:4-8)
Even though God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), He still commands us to pray and not to give up!
The privilege of prayer is especially valuable when we are facing trials. As we have said, James addressed this letter to the “Twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” As you know, in the days of Moses God guided the twelve tribes through the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. It was easy to know when to move and where to go. When the cloud moved, they moved. “Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month, or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted they would set out” (Numbers 9:22) James knew that it would be obvious to those of the twelve scattered tribes to expect guidance from God.
So James wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:2-8)
WE ARE TO PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Paul wrote these inspired words about prayer from prison. His instructions are clear and simple:
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First, don’t worry about anything.
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Second, in every situation make your prayers and petitions with thanksgiving.
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Then the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!
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Thousands have followed these instructions and received God’s peace that transcends all understanding.
The apostle Peter is a perfect example. Wicked king Herod had put James, the brother of John, to death with the sword and “When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After
arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.” (Acts 12:3-10)
Please consider:
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The Festival of Unleavened Bread took place at the same time as the Passover (Luke 22:1). •
At night it got cold during this time of the year. When Jesus was crucified at Passover time, as you know, and “It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.” (John 18:18) •
The night before Peter’s trial, however, he apparently was not worried at all! In fact, he was so sound asleep that the angel of the Lord had to strike him on the side to wake him up!
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Many people could not sleep on a comfortable bed under such circumstances, but Peter was sleeping like a baby. Remember! He was chained between two soldiers, apparently on the cold floor of the prison without a cover, and yet was still sound asleep.
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This is a wonderful example of a peace that passes understanding guarding his heart and mind.
GOD IS IN CONTROL
James uses Job as an example of perseverance. “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11) Nothing, as you know, happened to Job without God’s permission. While Job suffered greatly he was never tempted beyond what he was able to bear. God carefully monitored the situation so that Job would emerge victorious. In fact, “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” (Job 42:12)
So God also carefully monitors your situation. He will never allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). God can answer your prayers and give you victory in an infinite number of ways. Remember! “All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23) Even angels are ministering spirits especially assigned to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
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This is precisely the reason James used Elijah to illustrate answers to prayer. James wanted the people to pray and used Elijah as an example to encourage them. Elijah was an ordinary person, just like we are, and yet when he prayed it did not rain for 3 ½ years. Then he prayed again and it began to rain. Elijah gained victory over 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 prophets of
Asherah, and the fact that God controlled the weather was key to his victory (See 1 Kings 17 – 18).
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The example of Elijah proves that God even controls the weather. There are many examples of this in the Bible.
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As you know, God destroyed the entire earth with a flood (Genesis 6:9 – 9:17).
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God rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah out of the heavens (Genesis 19:24).
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The seventh plague God sent upon Egypt involved a hail storm that stuck everything in the fields, both man and animals. It beat down everything growing and stripped every tree. “The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were.” (Exodus 9:22-26)
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When Israel needed water God told Moses: “Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:5-6)
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God caused the walls of Jericho to fall down, perhaps with an earthquake (Joshua 6:20). •
God gave Joshua victory over five kings by causing the sun to stand still and sending hail stones that killed more of the enemy than than the swords of the Israelites (Joshua 10:1-15). •
God gave Deborah and Barak victory over Sisera who had 900 chariots of iron. One reason for the victory was that “The earth shook, the heavens poured down water.” (Judges 5:4) Iron chariots do not work well in the mud!
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When Jonathan and his armor bearer attacked the Philistines the ground shook and God sent panic among the Philistine army (1 Samuel 14:1-17).
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God gave victory to Joram and Jehoshaphat because God filled the valley with water making the Moabites think it was blood (2 Kings 3:1-27).
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God withheld rain from Israel hoping it would help them repent. He said: ““I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.” (Amos 4:7-8)
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Jesus calmed a storm by rebuking the wind and saying to the waves “Quiet! be still!” Mark 4:35-39)
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When Jesus was crucified “From the sixth hour to the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.” (Matthew 27:45)
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When Jesus died: “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (Matthew 27:51-53)
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“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” (Matthew 28:1-4)
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When Paul and Silas had been unjustly beaten and imprisoned: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26) That very night the jailer and his whole household were baptized(Acts 16:33).
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God used a storm to take Paul’s ship to the Island of Malta where Paul healed the father of Publius, the chief official of the island. “When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured.” (Acts 28:9)
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“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
THE PRAYER OF JONAH
I’m sure you know the story! When the Lord commanded Jonah to go East and preach to the pagans in Nineveh, he decided to go West and run away from the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship heading for Tarshish an “after paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.” (Jonah 1:3)
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Then God sent a great wind and a violent storm arose, and the ship threatened to break up. •
All the sailers were afraid. Each prayed to his own god and through the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
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Jonah apparently was unafraid and was sleeping below the deck.
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The sailers cast lots and determined that Jonah was responsible for the storm.
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When confronted by these soldiers Jonah said: “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” (Jonah 1:9)
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Jonah confessed to them that he was running away from the Lord and said: “Pick me up and throw me into the sea, he replied, and it will become calm. I know it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” (Jonah 1:12)
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When they threw Jonah overboard, the raging sea grew calm “But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the great fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17)
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INSIDE THE FISH JONAH BEGAN TO CHANGE! HE NEVER IMAGINED HOW PAINFUL IT WOULD BE TO DEFY GOD! WITH THE SEA WEEDS WRAPPED AROUND HIS HEAD HE WAS STRUGGLING FOR EVERY BREATH OF AIR. OBVIOUSLY HE WS SUFFERING FROM THE STOMACH ACIDS OF THE FISH SEEKING TO DIGEST HIM. FROM INSIDE THIS GREAT FISH HE OFFERED THIS ELOQUENT PRAYER!
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From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said:“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with
shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”
JONAH GOT A SECOND CHANCE
“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim the message I give you’. Jonah obeyed the Lord and went to Nineveh.” (Jonah 3:1- 2)
Jonah was one of the most successful preachers of all time. “Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming,“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:3-10)
Jonah was prejudiced against the pagans of Nineveh and didn’t want them to be saved. The Scriptures continue: “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:4-3)
We need to be careful how we pray. When Jonah became angry with God for not destroying Nineveh he prayed: “Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” When he was inside the great fish for three days, however, in his distress he called upon the Lord to save him. Before you pray to die, please consider this warning from Jesus: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5)
JESUS TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:9-15)