What a Difference!
What a difference between the prayers of 450 prophets of Baal and of one man, Elijah, the prophet of the living God.
450 prophets, crying out, raging, cutting themselves, leaping about for hours for their god Baal to hear and answer their plea. To burn the sacrificial offering on the altar.
No response, nothing. 1 Kings 18:25-29Elijah chose 12 stones and built an altar, then he laid another sacrificial bull on it and poured water over the offering, the wood, and the altar. Then he filled the trench around the altar with five and a half gallons of water. 1 Kings 18:30-35
Elijah’s simple, direct prayer of belief to the living God
(NASB) 1 Kings 18:36 “At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, ‘O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word.
37 ‘Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are Good, and that You have turned their heart back again.’
Do you pray with faith – knowing that the living God hears you?
Do you pray so that others will know that God, the God of the Holy Bible, hears and answers prayer?
Do you pray in such a way that others will know that He alone is God?
God answered Elijah’s prayer because Elijah obeyed God’s word!
“…I have done all these things at Your word.” 1 Kings 18:36
(NASB) 1 Kings 18:38 “Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
People’s response to God’s answer
(NASB) 1 Kings 18:39 “When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, ‘The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.’”
~ Take it to heart ~
What a difference between prayers to idols and to the living God.
What or Whom do you worship and serve?