Elijah an Example of the True Spirit of Prayer
R. P. Buddicom, B. A. 1 Kings 18:41-46 And Elijah said to Ahab, Get you up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.… I. THE PLACE WHITHER ELIJAH WENT TO SEEK HIM. He ascended to the top of Carmel! Here was a privacy remote from every eye, and well calculated to bring his mind into near and dear communion with God, after the public and awful duties in which he had been engaged — duties equally affecting the honour of Jehovah and the welfare of His people. II. THE PRAYER OF ELIJAH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN OFFERED UP IN DEEP HUMILITY. He cast himself upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. Lowliness is the very essence of prayer — for what is prayer, except the soul's confession of its unworthiness, its rebellion, its vileness, its helplessness, its merit of God's wrath, arising out of a broken law and a neglect of all the blessings that are centred in Jesus, and that have been offered to and pressed upon its acceptance? III. THE PRAYER OF ELIJAH IS BEAUTIFULLY DISTINGUISHED BY A SPIRIT OF DEEP AND SETTLED EARNESTNESS. We do not hear a word spoken, nothing that interrupts the soul's silent communion with God. We know not that a tear was shed, we know not that a sigh was uttered; yet have we obviously the supplication of one who wrestled with God, under an almost overwhelming sense of the momentous nature of the petition which he asked at God's hand. IV. HE WRESTLED WITH GOD, AS "ONE WHO WOULD TAKE NO DENIAL." V. ELIJAH, THEN, EXHIBITED A FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH THAT HIS PETITION WOULD BE GRANTED. VI. ELIJAH EXHIBITED A WAITING SPIRIT OF SUPPLICATION. VII. THE SUPPLICATION OF ELIJAH WAS DISTINGUISHED BY A WATCHFUL STATE OF MIND. VIII. THE PRAYER OF ELIJAH WAS THE PLEADING OF A SPIRIT CAPABLE OF DISCOVERING AN ANSWER WHICH COMMON OBSERVATION COULD NOT DETECT. IX. THE PRAYER OF ELIJAH WAS ONE WHICH SERVED TO STRENGTHEN HIM FOR DUTY. It did not suffice to send his servant, that Ahab might be warned, and proceed on his way. No, the prophet arose from his station and posture of lowliness on Mount Carmel, in joy and comfort, to do Jehovah's bidding, as Jehovah's prophet. "The hand of the Lord was upon Elijah, and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab, to the entrance of Jezreel." (R. P. Buddicom, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. WEB: Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."