Answered prayer

Introduction

There is a great deal of noise on Mt Carmel. You can hear for it for miles around. And those nearby watch as 450 men – prophets of Baal – shout and leap up and down and call out to their god to send down fire from heaven. “O Baal answer us! O Baal answer us.” But there is no response; no one answers.

At noon the prophet Elijah begins to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he says. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or travelling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they shout louder and slash themselves with swords and spears. It’s what they always do, and they keep doing it until the blood flows from their bodies. And now it’s afternoon, and on and on they go – continuing their frantic prayers until the time of the evening sacrifice. But again there is no response; no one answers.

Then it’s Elijah’s turn. Elijah repairs the altar of the Lord which has been torn down. He is determined to bring back the worship requirements God had set out for his people hundreds of years before. Then, by pouring copious amounts of water over the offering, Elijah ensures that God alone gets all the glory for answering his prayer.

Read 1 Kings 18:36-37

Elijah’s prayer

• When did Elijah pray this prayer? Why do you think this timing was significant? (See Exodus 29:38-39)
• What two things does Elijah ask God for in verse 36?
• What reason does Elijah give in verse 37 for wanting God to answer his prayer?

The Evening Sacrifice was originally set up at the command of God. It was to show the Israelites that they were to rely on him continually for forgiveness of their sins. It was a time for the people to remember the covenant God had made with his people. So when Elijah chose to make the sacrifice at this time, it was a direct challenge to the false god Baal, as well as to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who were promoting the worship of Baal. It was also a direct challenge for God’s people to return to the true God of Israel.

Read 1 Kings 18:38-39

Fire from heaven

• How does verse 38 show that it was God who answered Elijah’s prayer?
• How did the people react when this happened? (verse 39)

When Elijah prays for God’s glory, we’re told the fire of the Lord immediately falls and burns up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licks up all the water in the trench. Such is the power of our God!
And when all the people see this, they fall flat on their faces and cry out, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”

Why did God answer Elijah’s prayer?

What can we learn from this historical incident that will help us pray more effectively?

Elijah was in relationship with the living God. Baal was a lifeless idol. He had no power.
The LORD is the living God. He listens to those who trust him and has the power to respond when we pray to him.

Elijah’s prayer was answered, because he asked for something that was in accordance with the will of God. Verse 36 tells us that God had told Elijah to set up this contest on Mt Carmel.
We must search the Scriptures for the things God has told us to ask for, and use these as a basis for our prayers.

God answered Elijah’s prayer because his primary motive for praying was to bring honour and glory to God’s Name.
Elijah prayed so God’s purposes would be fulfilled. He longed for people to repent and turn back to the living God.
What is my primary motive as I pray?

Praise God with songs of Jesus!

O Great God (Bob Kauflin); Christ our Wisdom (Sovereign Grace); What a Friend (Redeemed Quartet);
The Lord’s Prayer (Life in 3D); A Christian’s Daily Prayer (Sovereign Grace).