James 5:17-18 — Uh-lie-juh

READ THIS: James 5:17-18

17 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. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Um... who's this new guy? Uh-lie-juh?

Today, we are going to learn about a story from the book of 1 Kings, featuring Elijah, a prophet! Prophets were people who were God's messengers, especially during the time before Jesus. They would proclaim messages and warnings from God to His people. In 1 Kings 17-18, Elijah boldly tells King Ahab (a not very good dude) that there will be zero rain in his land for years because God said so. Sure enough, years went by without rain, and King Ahab was NOT happy about it. Years later, after some crazy stories (look them up!), Elijah boldly comes before the King and tells him rain will return. Elijah then climbs on top of a mountain, lays his head on the ground and prays. Then, guess what happened next... The Lord brings rain!

But what did this have to do with James or anything we have been learning? Just yesterday, we read that "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." When we pray, God can do, and WILL do, incredible things... Jesus even says so! In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." So let's pray boldly, believing that God can do anything in His will and His power!


THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Is it hard to believe that God can do anything? Have you ever prayed and struggled to believe God can get it done?

2. What is the craziest prayer that you have seen God answer in your life or in someone else's life? Take some time to thank God for answering that prayer!

 
TRY THIS:

Take 2 minutes today to think of something that God can do today to make His name and His kingdom known, then take another 2 minutes to pray that God can/will do it!

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