A Storm's Coming

Consider Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying with such intensity that His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Think about the early church in the upper room, continuing steadfastly in prayer until the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1-4). Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern: the greatest spiritual breakthroughs often emerge through the most persistent, intensive prayer.

b. The Test of Persistent Faith

The test of Elijah's persistence came immediately. He sent his servant to look toward the Mediterranean Sea for any sign of approaching rain. The first report came back disappointing: "There is nothing." A second time, then a third, fourth, fifth, and sixth time, each inquiry met with the same discouraging response. But Elijah didn't give up. He continued to pray, continued to send his servant to look, and continued to believe that God would fulfil His promise.

This pattern teaches us something vital about the nature of effectual prayer. Many of our prayers fail not because God doesn't want to answer them, but because we don't persist long enough to see His response. We live in an instant culture that expects immediate results, but God often works according to different timing principles. The delay doesn't mean He hasn't heard us or won't answer, it may mean He's developing our character, testing our commitment, or preparing us for something greater than we initially imagined.

Think about the areas of your life where you've been seeking God for a breakthrough. Is your marriage facing challenges that seem insurmountable? Have you prayed with the intensity and persistence of Elijah, or have you offered a few casual prayers and then resigned yourself to the status quo? Are you dealing with a prodigal child whose heart seems completely hardened? Have you been willing to labor in prayer with birthing intensity, or have you given up after initial disappointments?

c. The Principle of Spiritual Preparation

The Lord isn't teasing us or making things unnecessarily difficult when He requires persistent prayer. He's developing our spiritual muscles, strengthening our faith, and preparing us for the responsibilities that come with answered prayer. Consider this profound truth: the reason God stretches us in faith, teaches us in prayer, and sometimes forces us to mature through difficult circumstances is that He's training us for eternity.

This earthly life is our training ground for the eternal responsibilities that await us. The billions of years that lie ahead will require spiritual maturity, developed faith, and tested character. When God allows us to struggle in prayer, He's not being cruel - He's being a loving Father who understands what we'll need for the future He has planned for us.

Amy Carmichael, the great missionary to India, wrote: "Every day we live, we have to choose whether we should follow in the way of Ahab or of Elijah." Jesus' words in Matthew 6:33 come to mind: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." The choice is between seeking our own comfort and convenience (the way of Ahab) or seeking God's will and glory regardless of the personal cost (the way of Elijah).