Prayer Of Zeal Series

PRAYER OF ZEAL

Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel, June 6, 2023

1 Kings 19:13-14 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it away.”

INTRODUCTION

Elijah expressed his frustration and fear to God, feeling like he was the only one who was faithful to Him. Despite this, Elijah continued to trust in God and His plan for him. It is important to remember that even when we feel alone or overwhelmed, we can always turn to God for strength and guidance.

We are to pray to God for the Holy Spirit to fill us with His holy fire and ignite our hearts with a passion for His kingdom. God, Help us to boldly proclaim your truth and love to the world around us. May your Spirit inspire us to serve you with zeal and fervor rather than making us weary of doing good. Strengthen us in times of trial and give us the courage to stand firm in our faith. We pray that others may see your light shining brightly through our lives and be drawn closer to you. In Jesus' name, amen. May we also be reminded to extend grace and love to those around us, just as you have shown us. Help us reflect on your character and share your message of hope with those who are lost. May we never tire of doing good and always seek to honor you in all that we do.

Prayer of zeal refers to a passionate and fervent prayer that is filled with enthusiasm and a strong desire to serve God. Zeal, on the other hand, is a deep and intense feeling of devotion or enthusiasm towards a cause or belief. It is characterized by an unwavering commitment to one's faith and a willingness to go above and beyond in service to others.

1. FERVENT SPIRIT

Romans 12:11 says, "not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

As we strive to be diligent and fervent in our service to the Lord, let us also remember to extend grace and compassion to those around us. May our actions and words reflect the love of Christ and inspire others to seek Him.

What does it mean to have a fervent spirit?

Having a fervent spirit means having a passionate and enthusiastic attitude toward serving God. It involves putting effort and energy into our relationship with Him and being eager to share His love with others.

A fervent spirit guides us in our daily interactions with others and gives us the courage to stand up for what is right. We pray that you will use us as instruments of your peace and love in a world that so desperately needs it. Amen.

We can see that Elijah was one of the people who had a successful victory over the false prophet Baal, and his unwavering faith in God allowed him to accomplish great things. May we also have the courage and faith to stand up for what is right, and may our actions inspire others to do the same. Let us be a beacon of hope and love in a world that can often feel dark and hopeless.

Elijah came to a point where the zeal of God was lost in him. Why? Because he became afraid and ran away from Queen Jezebel's threats. This shows that even the strongest of believers can experience moments of doubt and fear, but we must always remember to turn to God for strength and guidance.

Nehemiah 3:20 "After him, Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest."

Nehemiah reminds us of the importance of taking action and doing our part in the work of God, even in difficult times. We can find inspiration in the dedication and zeal shown by Baruch as he repaired the wall.

We can see that devotion, enthusiasm, and perseverance are essential qualities that we can learn from Baruch. Despite facing opposition and challenges, he remained committed to the task at hand and worked tirelessly to complete it. Let us strive to emulate his example in our own lives as we seek to serve God and make a positive impact in the world around us.

What kills the zeal in a believer's heart? However, there are certain things that can kill the zeal in a believer's heart, such as constant criticism and negativity, a lack of support and encouragement from others, and personal struggles and challenges that can make it difficult to stay motivated. It is important to recognize these obstacles and actively work to overcome them in order to maintain our passion for serving God.