Faith Through Prayer Intercession

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.”  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.  And he said to his servant, “Go up and look toward the sea.”  And he went up and looked and said,” There is nothing.”  And he said, “Go again,” seven times.  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 u, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and do down, lest the rain stop you.'” 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”.  And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.  1 Kings 18: 41-46

Elijah’s faith and steadfast prayer is an example to all God’s faithful people in regard to the power of prayer.  His prayer was from a righteous man.  it was a prayer from a man with human limitations.  Elijah’s prayer was an intense and persistent prayer of faith.  It was a prayer that accomplished much.

Elijah asked his servant to go again seven times.  In scripture, the number seven symbolizes something that is full and complete.  In this chapter, Elijah understood the power of complete and continuous intercession.  Intercession means pleading a case for others through prayer.  He did this in 3 ways on three different occasions.  Elijah interceded to restore the altar and the honor of God in the land.  He interceded by engaging in spiritual warfare against the false religion and cult of Baalism and Asherah.  He interceded for the rain to again refresh the drought-plagued land.

Rain is so good.  In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit is compared to the outpouring of the rain.  I like rainy days, however, I love the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.   Prayer, a deep intercession, like Elijah used, is still the means for the outpouring of Spiritual rain of the Holy Spirit in today’s church.

There are three kinds of intercession that should characterize our prayers.  First, intercession for God’s honor and glory to be revealed or restored among God’s people when they are in need of spiritual revival.  The second is intercession involving spiritual warfare against demonic powers and strongholds.  Last intercession for spiritual drought and dryness to be quenched by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

How is your prayer life?

Is it strong enough to show your faith and move mountains?

How can you add prayer intercession in your life?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all you do for your people.  I pray that we will be a people who pray and intercede for others.  I pray that our faith will grow more in you.  I pray that our churches will have an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus Name

Amen