17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” James 5:17-18
Some believers live in such a way that seems out of reach for the normal, average Christian. When we read about missionaries like Graham Staines who served in India among lepers for over 30 years before he was killed by a gang of Hindu fundamentalists, it’s hard to think we could ever follow Jesus to that extent. It doesn’t even have to be a foreign missionary who makes us question our faith; there are believers we know personally who demonstrate faith beyond anything we’ve ever experienced ourselves.
James must have recognized that his readers might not find the prophet relatable. As James considered it, he noted Elijah was no different than any other person who seeks to know and follow God. Elijah had the same nature James had, the same nature you have. He didn’t possess special DNA that gave him more faith or a better ability to pray. He was an ordinary guy who expected and invited the extraordinary God of the universe to demonstrate His power.
Elijah was a regular guy who loved, believed, and trusted God and wanted to see God’s work in the world. He wanted to see God’s glory revealed. The faith and power by which Elijah lived is not out of reach for any of us. The passionate intensity by which he prayed isn’t meant to be alien to any believer. Elijah is more relatable than you might think. Do you want to demonstrate great faith? Do you want to experience His power at work in your life and in the world? Pray big prayers and pray them fervently.
- Consider how God might want to reveal His power and glory in your own life or in the world around you. What would it look like for you to pray fervently for Him to do that?
- Pray: With God’s name and renown as your heart’s desire, implore Him in faith to do something that only His power could possibly explain.