We can now begin to make some practical connections. b. Pray for your lost husband to be saved. "Prayer doesn't change things," he continued. Our prayers must have as their goal the glory of God. He called upon the Lord to vindicate His claim that all of this (including the drought) had been done in His name; that is, according to His Word. While there, the Lord performed another miracle, restoring life to the son who was suddenly stricken dead (17:17-24). Does the ground seem bare? So it is with prayer in the life of the believer. The Lord heard and answered, and fire fell from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the water! God really is sovereign, and he rules the past, the present, and the future. He wanted others to see that God is faithful to His Word. Yet I fear that all too often we are in danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. After all, if Elijah is our example (to encourage us to pray) then we must understand all that we can concerning the circumstances of his prayer. Prayer Changes Things . Those things that are lifeless and fruitless in our lives can be changed, by God, in response to the fervent prayers of His righteous people. Prayer changes things, starting with the one who prays. TOP SERMONS. He then commanded that his sacrifice be doused with twelve barrels of water. Parents often ask me how they know whether their children are elect. There’s a little bird called the secretary bird and he has wings and he can fly but sometimes his enemy will begin to sneak up on him, much like the devil will attempt to do to you and I tonight...and He won’t have enough sense to spread his wings and fly away from his enemy and what happens?? God is Still on the Throne and Prayer Changes Things  In today’s modern world sometimes it is hard for us to realize the power of prayer. As the text of 1 Kings 17 opens, Elijah appears quite unexpectedly on the scene. But that does not mean that we cannot pray boldly for some specific things. Prayer changes us. And so our prayers must always look beyond our own immediate needs to the needs of others and to the glory of God in the extension of His kingdom. Prayer does not change things which have no connection with the salvation of souls. Intercessory prayer changes things. Elijah’s word came to pass just as he said: 18:1 informs us that the land was rainless for some three years, while James states that this lasted for three years and six months months (see also Luke 4:25). The principle, of course, extends far beyond just conversions. Ahab was a godless man and, if anything, his wife Jezebel was even worse. In this study we return to James 5:16-18 for what will probably be the final time as we consider once again the important issue of prayer in the life of the church. Are you battling with a physical ailment? Howard Hendricks, who for years taught at the Dallas Theological Seminary and pastored in the area shared this story. Be encouraged and grow your faith with daily and weekly devotionals. he returned with the news that the blue sky had a spot in it: “a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” A cloud the size of a man’s hand. Elijah became a source of provision, by the grace of God, to sustain this family through difficult days (17:8-16). After many days, the lack of rain had so effected the land that the brook dried up and Elijah was told to go and find shelter at the home of a widow and her son at Zarephath—a Gentile household. So it is with prayer in the life of the believer. Thus, in order for our prayers to be effective, we must be righteous. Undaunted by the lack of response, he wrote a letter to God presenting his request once again. a. Prayer Changes Things. II. If you are a believer, you are indwelt by the Spirit and have the promise of God that, through Jesus Christ, He will save you from your sins! And we find all the information that we need to know concerning Elijah in 1 Kings 17-18. That is, for our prayers to be effective, we must live according to God’s standard. It is not wrong, of course, to pray in terms of “Your will be done.” This must be the attitude of our hearts. Sermon Series: Prayer Changes Things by Mark Baker. We can imagine how well this must have gone down in a time of severe drought! Be encouraged that prayer can change things! Summary: This sermon helps us understand that if we live for God, Prayer is an effective way to overcome. Ahab considered the dreadful sins of his forbears a trivial thing (16:31) and, rather than simply allowing idolatry to flourish or practicing it himself, he instituted Baal worship as the official religion of Israel. Third, let us learn that we must pray in accordance with a biblical knowledge of God. Thus, this promised rain indicates that there had been repentance. During the drought which preceded this, things had gone from bad to desperately worse in Samaria, the home of Ahab and Jezebel. The scene that follows is delightful, at least for those who love God, for the idols were magnificently mocked and proven to be fallacious (18:20-40). James 5:17 tells us that Elijah “prayed earnestly.” Literally, this reads, “In praying Elijah prayed.” That is, he began to pray (for that which he had just promised to Ahab!) To be sure, the land still had plenty of potential, but without the rain the mere potential could feed no one. But let us be encouraged from the example of Elijah that the barren ground can indeed bring forth fruit in answer to our prayer. James tells us that Elijah was a man “subject to like passions as we are” (v. 17). First, let us learn that there are conditions to effective prayers. Undaunted by the lack of response, he wrote a letter to God presenting his request once again. Does the likelihood of overcoming this sin seem hopeless? That is, he was of the same nature as us. Again, these were words of faith, and this faith was soon to be honoured as the sky began to darken. Interestingly, Elijah said to Ahab, “There is a sound of abundance of rain” (18:41). So often we think of prayer as the means by which THINGS will change, but in reality it usually changes us and thereby things change! The god who answered by fire from heaven would prove to be the true God. As the prophet confronted Ahab he was blamed by this king for being the source of trouble for the nation. Website. Isaiah 37:16 makes this crystal-clear. What we have seen in verse 30 is that biblical prayer and biblical incentives to prayer imply a radically God-centered universe, and God-centered way of … Send us an email for more information. We do not see the conversions that we would like to see. “My God is Yahweh” is what his name declared, and he lived up to that name, even when the world around him seemed to be crying, “Our god is Baal!”. “And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (v. 18). In our quest for orthodoxy we may find ourselves missing out on some very real blessings as we parse the power of God out of our lives and out of our church. Download Service Schedule (20 December) (PDF). It is important that we do this, for James tells us that Elijah was just like us, and thus the answers to prayer that he realised can be our experience as well. With the festive season regulations now in place, we will be having a single, indoor service, limited to 100 people, live-streamed. When the postal authorities received...read more We would love to see the waters of baptism move more frequently than they do. Elijah then prayed to the true and only God, “the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel” (18:36). Elijah went down on his knees and begged God to send the rain; but the skies above were as blue as they had been for the past 42 months. We must be passionate about magnifying Yahweh as God, and passionate about bringing others to magnify Him in the same way. Required fields are marked * Comment. According to 1 Kings 16:29-34 Ahab was on the throne of Israel during the time in which Elijah ministered. He could revive the dead, heal the sick, and grant blessings f progeny” (Dale Ralph Davis). "Prayer doesn't change circumstances," he bellowed. James speaks about the “fervent” prayers of a righteous man. James, an apostle, tells us this in these closing words of his inspired epistle. Asherah was likewise linked to fertility, but neither the fertility god Baal nor his female counterpart were able to grant rain. Read How Does Prayer Work? That is, we should desire produce as provision for others. April showers can indeed bring forth Mayflowers! Paul T. Murphy Prayer Changes Things And when it eventually came, the landscape that formerly looked so dry and barren came to life. / Sermons / Prayer Changes Things. In Canaanite superstition, “Baal was the storm and fertility god who bestowed upon man and soil the blessings of fruitfulness. Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter. ? After a brief encounter with a fellow God-fearer (18:7-16) Elijah stood once again before King Ahab. The text tells us that “there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded” (18:29). As the prophets of Baal and Asherah danced around and pray in a frenzied state, Elijah stood by mocking them. One example of this is the cliché, “Prayer changes things.”. We need to see more of this passionate sort of praying. Elijah prayed for some great things—drought, rain, restoration of life, fire from heaven, etc.—but throughout you see a man who clearly understood his own helplessness. Date written: July 24, 1994 Scripture ref: Acts 2:42. Through prayer, there is so much more potential than we often realise. Elijah prayed in a time when the ground was barren, and as we survey the evangelical world around us we often conclude the same. THE POWER OF PRAYER When a new year begins, many people make resolutions. Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter. What follows highlights how serious the situation became. And so it must be for you and me! Brother Matthew Honeycutt; View; SHARE ON Twitter Facebook Buffer LinkedIn Pin It. He gave grain and oil and wine. "Prayer changes us." And for Elijah, it was enough. When God sent the rain in response to Elijah’s prayer, it was not only Elijah who benefited. Sermon: Prayer Still Changes Things. Prayer changes all of the variables at work in any given situation, making possible either a miraculous and instantaneous deliverance or the slow, progressive change and growth necessary for overcoming adversity. ... not matter goes on in our lives that God still care for us—and through that divine communication we believe that God things, other people, situations that we face—but more so that anything else, we pray that God changes us. Edit Your They were to sacrifice livestock and call on their god to accept their offering; Elijah will do the same, calling upon Yahweh. and as time went on and the ground remained dry, he really prayed! Verse 18 says that “he prayed again.” In fact, he prayed again and again and again—seven times again! We have read nothing of him until this point, and thus know nothing of his background. Thus it is clear that Elijah was speaking words of faith, even though his prayer would only follow those words. This righteous man will not let go of God; too much is at stake! His reign, then, was characterised in every way by blatant rebellion against God’s Word. ILLUS: One night my 11-year-old daughter Eva noticed I was distracted as I tucked her in to bed. What is interesting to me is that James brings an additional perspective to this scene. However this doesn't mean that prayer changes only spiritual things. Elijah was sent by God to the brook Cherith near the Jordan River, from which he was able to drink and where God fed him by raven chefs (17:2-7). PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!! God Changes People’s Wills in Answer to Prayer Now, these two questions from verse 30 set the stage for the lesson of verse 31. Elijah prayed again and again until the rain came. Prayer Changes Things A Sermon on Matthew 7:7-11 The story is told of a young boy who wanted $100 very badly. - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - April 15, 2018 from today's daily devotional. In vv. Elijah’s nature was like ours. Elijah certainly refused to accept the status quo and, once again, we must follow his example. He rebuilt the destroyed altar of Yahweh. Each begins with a different starting point. Nor is James alone in teaching this. Nevertheless, when we don’t have a specific “word” concerning a matter then let us pray boldly until either God answers or changes our request. To properly grasp the intent of this passage we need to properly understand the historical and contextual backdrop of Elijah’s situation that is here mentioned. The Urban Alternative is a Christian Bible teaching and resource ministry founded 39 years ago by Dr. Tony Evans. That is, his eye was fixed firmly on the glory of God. Presumably, when Elijah said that it would not rain “according to my word,” he was speaking with reference to his position as prophet declaring, “Thus says the Lord.” And, of course, Elijah was praying biblically, for drought was one of the clearly specified judgements of God against His people for forsaking their covenant with Him (Deuteronomy 11:16; 28:23-24). He prayed for a long time, but nothing happened. Things changed! Pray for your wandering children to be restored to fellowship with Christ. The power that he had as a prophet was in direct proportion to his own human weakness, and so too the power of a church is in direct proportion to that church’s understanding of its own weakness. If you can give Him rest there is very little reason to believe that He will answer. Fifth, we must pray with the motivation that looks beyond the immediate result to ourselves. When we hear such a slogan we are quick to point out that only God can change things and then we may find ourselves sitting back smugly ensconced in our theological ivory tower rather than joining with other believers in beseeching God to indeed change things. Those things that are lifeless and fruitless in our lives can be changed, by God, in response to the fervent prayers of His righteous people. That’s quite clear: prayer changes things, things outside of ourselves; it even changes the course of history. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. The text is Acts 2:42. Of course, it is often difficult for us to know for sure whether our prayers will be answered affirmatively, but if we have a burden to pray for something let us pray for it. And if we are living according to His righteous standard, then our prayers will be for His glory, not for our own comfort. It’s that prayer of faith that changes things that James talks about in our lesson. His counsels stand. When the people saw this they repented and cried out, “The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God” (18:39). The type of changes for which we pray can, after all, only come by the power of God! SUBJECT: Worship TITLE:To Pray Effectively PROPOSITION: To understand how to pray we must understand the Character, Circumstance, Content, and Consequences of prayer. Title; Prayer Changes Things (1 of 2) Mark Baker: READ MORE: Prayer Changes Things (2 of 2) Mark Baker: READ MORE: Add Entire Series to Cart. $ 100 very badly point, and grant blessings f progeny ” 18:41. Of a young boy who wanted $ 100 very badly an additional perspective to this scene for years at. Often prone to dismiss those common little ditties that abound in Christendom without much... To magnify Him in the middle of the believer would repent and return to the prayer of faith and... Itself, for our prayers, things outside of ourselves ; it even changes the we. 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