It took a little time of meditation and examination in the Hebrew to reallly understand the depth of Elijah’s prayer and his relationship with God. You see the word for have turned in Hebrew is hasiroth. The Hei at the begining of the word puts this into a Hiphil form making it causative yet it also indicates that this is a perfect (completed) action. Elijah is lilterally saying: “You have cause the people to turn you hearts back to you.” So if that is the case and people have already turned back to God why does God need to send the fire from heaven. He has already accomplished the purpose of the special effects without having to resort to all that drama.

 

The simple fact is that the people have not yet turned their hearts back to God and God needs to send that fire to show He is God. Elijah, however, is totally convinced that God is going to turn the hearts of the people back to Him, that he speaks of the event as if it has already happened. This is the pure faith of Elijah, a faith that came from years of walking with God, knowing God’s heart. Yeah, this old boy and God were tight. Elijah walked so closely with God such that he could pray for an event to happen and do it in the past tense, speaking as if it had already taken place.

 

Some years ago there was a Christian fad (there are alreadys new fads in Christianity) where people were encouraged to “Pray in Faith.” You know something like: “Lord, thank you for the $100,000 for the new Tesla.” Even though you can’t even swing the down payment on a 15 years old Ford Focus. Some realize such a prayer was a bit selfish so they would add: “So I can drive little children to Sunday School on Sunday.”

 

Pay careful note of Elijah’s “Praying in Faith.” Elijah did not pray: “Thank your for the fire from heaven.” He was asking God for the fire, in fact asked two times for God to answer him. He knew his people well. He knew their hearts and that they were afraid, confused and uncertain, but their hearts were ready for God all they needed was a little miracle to give them the confidence to turn against Jezebel and her prophets. Elijah only confirmed God’s heart’s desire, that the people turn their hearts back to God. He knew God would accomplish his one way or the other. Elijah may not have been that certain about God’s method which is why he asked two times for God to answer him.

 

My point is this, Elijah’s prayer is not a formula to get an answer to prayer. It is only an acknowledgement of God’s heart. There are no formula’s to get an answer to prayer. The only formula I see here is the Hannah prayer, pouring your heart out to God. Elijah was like a little child coming to his father saying: “Daddy, come help my friend, come help my friend. I know you love him and my friend needs you right now and wants your help.”

 

Tomorrow our live Torah Class will be diiscussing this Haftoraah portion and Elijah’s prayer in greater depth. Consider joining us at www.hebrewwordstudy.com All classes are also recorded to be viewed at any time.