Dear Friend,
Many times, we are faced with some stubborn problems that seem to be refusing to yield to the will and purposes of God for our lives. We become so frustrated and worn out that we convince ourselves that the situation is out of our hands and that there is nothing left for us to say to God. We get out of our position of prayerfulness because the change we hope to see is nowhere in sight. I am so guilty of this. Sometimes, I think God is taking too long to rescue me. I convince myself there is nothing more to say to God; now that I have prayed, it is out of my control.
Friend, is this the attitude the Word of God teaches us about prayer?
Do you remain prayerful when you feel God is not hearing you or responding to you as soon as you would want?
Truth is, nothing we face is in our control, and I am learning that the situations God allows in our lives are not there because God has lost control, or because He is unaware of the pain and suffering we are enduring or has lost track of our prayers in words, sentences, tears sighs or groans. The seasons we find ourselves in are not because He does not love us anymore.
God allows seasons of difficulties so that we will repent because the Lord chastens those He loves. To develop our prayer lives and change how we communicate with Him. He wants us to understand how He speaks to us. He desires for us to understand it is not by might nor power but by His Spirit. He desires for the fruits of the Spirit to be worked out in our lives. He wants us to learn to trust Him.
Friend, we are commanded to stay in prayer! Prayer is the way we communicate with our Heavenly Father!
There are so many Bible verses commanding us to pray. Here are seven of my favourites.
- Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Ephesians 6:17–18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
- Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 1 John 5:14–15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.
- Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
- Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Friend, as I write, the Holy Spirit is reminding me of the story of Elijah when he prophesied that there would be no rain on the land because the people turned away from The True God and started worshipping false gods. For three years, it did not rain. When God was ready to send rain again, He told Elijah to present himself to Ahab. That day, there was a big showdown on Mount Carmel, and the presence of the Lord came down as fire, which consumed the sacrifice that Elijah made to God. Elijah then told Ahab to, “Eat and drink because there is a sound of the abundance of rain.”
God told Elijah that He would send rain, and that is what Elijah acted on. Elijah understood that based on his experiences with God, God is not a Man that He should lie. He knew that God was ready to send rain on a dry and parched land!
Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall he not make it good?“
What are you praying for, Friend? When we are in tune with the Holy Spirit and pray the will of God, the answer is always a yes!
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, bent down, tucked his head between his knees, and started to pray! This is after God told him He would send rain, and Elijah heard the abundance of rain in the realm of the spirit. Elijah got in the birthing position and prayed the will of God out of the spiritual realm into the natural!
As Elijah stayed in his position, focusing on what God had said to him, he did not move his head from between his knees. He did not look at what the drought had done to the environment around him but kept his head tucked between his knees, focused on what God had told him!
Elijah knew that God is faithful and true to His words! God places His words above His name. Our God is faithful when we fail to be! Our shortcomings cannot hinder the plans and purposes of God!
2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.”
“Go look towards the sea.”, Elijah told his servant, and the servant looked. “There is nothing there.”, the servant said. Seven times, Elijah told the servant to go back! Elijah knew the natural must line up with the spiritual! The seventh time, the servant reported a cloud as small as a man’s fist was rising from the sea!
Not once did Elijah come out of his position until the will of God manifested in the natural. Dear Friend, stay on your knees!
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Elijah then told his servant, “Tell Ahab to hitch up his chariot and go down before the rain stops him!”
“Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, heavy rain started falling, and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.”
Friend, there are so many promises in the Bible that are relevant to the difficulties we are facing.
Promises Like:
Psalm 46:1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”
Psalm 46:5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
What do we do when we find ourselves in the dry places of life that make us afraid or feel there is no way out? We must stay in our position of prayerfulness until we see the will of God, the peace of God or the promises of God that we are praying out of the spirit realm manifesting around us in the natural! Wait for your cloud to manifest! Stay on your knees!
Can you imagine what the environment around Elijah looked like when he was praying for rain? There was not a green leaf in sight! There was nothing in this realm to attach his hope of rain to. All Elijah had was God’s promise and his faith! Friend, that is all we need! Be it unto you according to your faith!
How long have you been praying over the dry grounds of your life?
I encourage you, Friend, to hold on to the promises of God, and when you pray the will of God over your life, know that God will send rain! Your answer will be a yes and amen!
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
My Prayer for Us
I Pray today that as we pray over every dry and what seems hopeless situation in the natural realm, we will begin to hear the abundance of rain in the realm of the spirit that signifies that our change is coming. I pray that when we open our hearts to what the Holy Spirit of God is saying to us, we will tuck our heads between our knees as Elijah did and remain in the birthing position until we see the will of God being manifested in the natural realm. I pray that our spiritual senses be heightened so that we may understand the moves of God in our lives at the appointed time. I Pray we will not look at what the enemy dangles before us in hopes of crippling us with fear but that we will remember that God is faithful and has the last say in all things. I pray that we will not be tossed by every wind but stand steadfast on the Living Word of God.
Father, when we are faced with situations that make us feel like we are facing the gates of hell, help us remember Your promise to never leave us or forsake us. Help us to remember that You are in us, and greater than the one that is in the World. Open our eyes, Father, to see that more are with us than with them, as the prophet Elisha prayed. Help us, Father, to remember how you worked miracles for us in the past and treasure them in our hearts, knowing fully well that at the appointed time, you will deliver us.
Amen
Friend, like Elijah, do not look to the left or to the right, above or below, but tuck your head between your knees and stay in your position of prayer until you see change. Do not look at your natural situation, but look and listen to what God is saying to you. Focus on what God is saying to you. Focus on the promises of God. He is not a man that He should lie. He has placed His words above His name. Pray without ceasing, Friend, because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in the pulling down of strongholds.
Elijah’s faith was great faith. It would not accept no as an answer when God had already said yes! God promised to send rain, and that is what Elijah focused on, not on the dire conditions around him. Elijah knew that God answers prayers and acts on behalf of those who love and wait for Him!
Friend, today read Matthew 7:7-11 and let the words take root in your heart!
Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! .
I hope these words of encouragement are helpful for you or someone you know.
You know I love hearing from you. Feel free to send me a message at any time!
Thinking out Loud because Life is better shared!
Kimberlee
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