Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional February 20th – “Pray In Prayer”

(How To Pray Effectively As Elijah Did)

TO THE BIBLE: James 5:17 KJV
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

LET’S TALK
The Greek connotation of the words “prayed earnestly” is an interesting emphasis; it actually says that Elijah “prayed in prayer”; it’s similar to what Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 22:15 KJV, “…With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”

How do you “desire” something with desire? Or “pray” in prayer? It’s a way of strengthening the communication.

Thus, by including the word “earnest,” he helps us understand the strength of what he wanted to communicate. It means “heartfelt, continued prayer,” like the Amplified Classic version puts it: “…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (James 5:16 AMPC).

1 Kings 17 gives us the details of what transpired during the course of prayer: “And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1).

Elijah didn’t just say this and got to sleep; no! The eighteenth chapter lets us know Elijah did what he did at the word of the Lord.

When it was time for the drought to end, he “prayed in prayer” again (James 5:18); it was heartfelt and continued until he had the desired results (study 1 Kings 17-18).

The same way Elijah prayed effectively and something remarkable happened to a whole nation, you also can trust in the same living God and “pray” in prayer when you desire a change.

You can effect changes in your nation, state, city or institution. Pray this way always and with deep desire, intense passion, and there’ll be a change. Hallelujah!

Go Deeper
James 5:17-18 AMPC; Luke 22:39-44

Pray:
Dear Father, thank you for your righteousness that fills the earth and your Word that’s prevailing in the lives of men as the Gospel is being proclaimed around the world today. All the nations belong to you; and the knowledge of your glory is covering the earth as the waters cover the sea, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Mark 4:21-41, Leviticus 16-18
TWO YEAR
Matthew 16:1-12, Exodus 1

Act:
What change do you want to effect in your world today? You can! Do so by “praying” in prayer just as you’ve been taught.