Prayer Must Be Our Weapon Of Defense To Destroy Our Enemy James 5:16

The theme illustrated: Elijah was a righteous man whose prayers accomplished much (5:17-18).

Elijah had taken on almost legendary status among the Jews in James’ day. By all accounts, he was an impressive man! He marched in before the wicked, powerful King Ahab and announced that it would only rain by his word, and his word came true! He was miraculously fed by the ravens during the drought. He miraculously enabled the widow of Zarephath’s flour to be replenished throughout the drought. He raised her son from the dead. He called down fire from heaven to consume his waterlogged sacrifice in front of the 400 prophets of Baal. Then he ordered the execution of them all. Later, he called down fire to consume two groups of soldiers sent to arrest him. He parted the Jordan river to walk across. His final act was to be taken to heaven without dying in a chariot of fire. That’s the stuff legends are made of!

A man like Elijah could be more of a hindrance to my prayer life than an encouragement, because I could think that he’s in a totally different league than I am. That’s why James says… ALTHOUGH RIGHTEOUS, ELIJAH WAS A MAN WITH A NATURE LIKE OURS. As you read the story of Elijah, you find that in spite of seeing God work in miraculous ways, he became fearful and depressed. James’ point is that while Elijah was a great man, he was after all just a man. He did not have some privileged status before God that we lack. He had his ups and downs, but he prayed and God answered. So even though you have your ups and downs, pray! The power of prayer is not with the man, but with our God. ELIJAH WAS A MAN WHO LIVED IN UNGODLY TIMES, BUT HIS PRAYERS AFFECTED THE ENTIRE NATION.