1. Salesman and Prayer
The story is told of a man who went and made a sales presentation to the leadership of a church.
When the presentation was over, one of the men in leadership when into the auditorium, knelt down and after a minute of silent prayer, returned and announced in a solemn tone, “The Lord says we should wait.”
Without flinching, the salesman went into the auditorium, knelt down, and after a moment of silent prayer, returned and said to the leader who had just prayed, “The Lord wants to talk with you again.”
I’m not really sure that either man was actually praying, but it is interesting that they both saw prayer as a way of getting what they wanted.
2. In some respects, there is nothing wrong with using prayer to get what you want.
a. “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” James 4.2
b. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1.5
3. James 5.13-18
a. In this passage, James says that if we are in trouble or sick, then we should pray to God about it.
b. If there is something that we need from God, we should ask for it in prayer and ask others to pray as well.
I. When to Pray
A. Pray in Times of Distress (Suffering) – v. 13
Roger Staubach who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in ‘71 admitted that his position as a quarterback who didn’t call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run and only in emergency situations could he change the play (and he had better be right!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to have a “genius mind” when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team. Roger later said, “I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory.”
1. We May Have Distress by Following Yeshua (Jesus) – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16.33
2. We May Have Distress in Performing Ministry – 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. //8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 2 Timothy 2.3, 8-9; // 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4.5
3. We May Have Distress of a Cursed World – 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. Matthew 13.20-21
B. Pray in Times of Disease (Sickness) – vv. 14, 15a
1. The Most Common Topic (Look at our Prayer list)
2. The Most Common Test – Call Elders
a. Spiritually Mature Leaders
b. Walk with Sheep as Shepherds (Psalm 23 – anoint head with oil)
3. The Most Common Treatment – Anoint with Oil
a. Medicines[Aloes (Burial oil, John 19.39); Cassia and Cinnamon (in God’s holy anointing oil, Exodus 30.22-31); Frankincense Numbers 16.46-50 (used by Aaron to stop a plague); Hyssop (used for purification, Psalm 51.7); Myrrh (calming, Mark 15.23) from Healing Oils of the Bible
b. Faith Element (includes prayer) – But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1.6;
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5.14
c. Prayer of Faith added 15 years to Hezekiah’s life – 2 Kings 20
d. Give Cares to God by Prayer – 1 Peter 5.6
[Two men on a mountain were discussing their climb. The first asked the second why he had made such a tough climb. He replied, “All my troubles and heartaches are down in the valley, and when I am down there, they look pretty big. Up here, they seem pretty small.”
C. Pray in Times of Defiance (Sinfulness) – vv. 15b-16
1. There is importance in our repentance – If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66.18
2. There is importance in Confession – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1.9
3. There is a Conditional Aspect to Confession – if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7.14
4. Spirit affects the body and body the spirit
a. We may reject God in times of good health
b. We may ignore God in times of good health
5. Effectual prayer is a great accomplishment
D. Pray in Times of Delight (Singing) – v. 13; But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Psalm 5.11
1. Heart-felt – Ephesians 5.19
2. Praise for Answered Prayer – 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1.3-4
II. How to Pray – as Elijah (vv. 17-18)
A. Elijah Was a Man of Courage
1. The Battle with Baal – 1 Kings 18.17-40
2. The Attacks of Ahab and Jezebel – 1 Kings 18
a. Baal Worship (fertility cult)
b. No Rain for 3.5 years (no rain, no fertile fields)
c. Ahab blamed Elijah (killing the messenger)
B. Elijah Was a Man of Prayer
1. His Prayer was Earnest and Fervent (7 times) – 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 1 Kings 18.42-45
He used that particular Hebrew idiom - "praying he prayed."
2. His Prayer was Specific
a. He did not ask for a “blessing”
b. He asked for RAIN
3. His Prayer was in God’s Name, According to His Will
a. He knew God wanted to Bless (his nature)
b. He knew it would result in God’s praise – “ELIJAH!”
4. His Prayer was with Expectant Faith
a. Expected Rain – sent servant to see
b. [Prayer meeting in a western town to break a drought; preacher sent everyone home because no one brought an umbrella
C. Elijah was a Common Man
1. No Superstar at first – 1 Kings 19.1-4 (discouragement)
Three mischievous boys went to the zoo one day for an outing, since they had been at school all week. They decided to visit the elephant cage, but soon enough, they were picked up by a cop for causing a commotion. The officer hauled them off to security for questioning. The supervisor in charge asked them to give their names and tell what they were doing at the elephant cage.
The first boy innocently said, "My name is Gary, and I was just throwing peanuts into the elephant cage."
The second added, "My name is Larry, and all I was doing was throwing peanuts into the elephant cage."
The third boy was a little shaken up and said, "Well, my name is Peter, but my friends call me Peanuts."
Elijah must have felt like Peanuts. His friends, his own people, the people of Israel, did not side with him at all. The fact is no one made a move. So he stood there alone, saying "I’m the only prophet of GOD left in Israel.” On the part of everyone else, there was indecision.
2. Became a great man of God
3. James – “Camel knees”
4. Our potential
Conclusion
1. Henry Ford once took out a $1 million dollar life insurance policy. Later, a close friend inquired Henry Ford as to why he did not come to him for the policy. Ford replied, “You didn’t ask!”
2. The Lord is near to call
3. What is our relationship?
