Is It Still A Time To Pray?
James 5:16-18; 1 Kings 18:42-46

INTRO: I want for us to reflect how difficult a time we face as a people and nation. We need prayer in our lives. We see more outpouring by many than we have seen in a long time. We do need prayer. I want to spend a short time today dealing with prayer.

I know we all realize we need prayer, but it is easy to pass it by. It is easy to ignore our duty. It is easy to intend to pray, but not get the job done.

It would be easy to notice all the extra prayer that is being made by people at this time and call them hypocrites and say where were they last month? But I will not do so. While the calamity that has befallen our nation is most terrible, I am glad that God has used this calamity to call people to prayer. Why? We need more prayer. Our nation needs more prayer. Our leaders need more prayer. Our church needs more prayer. Your pastor needs more prayer. Let's get into the message…

2 Chr. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

1 K. 18:37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

God answers prayer

Matt. 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

 Next, I want to look at how prayer was approached by Elijah. [Share a short story of Elijah's challenge on the mount as he challenged the servants of Baal.] Let me read…

C 16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Elijah found a place to pray - 42

Elijah approached prayer with an humble attitude - 42b

Elijah prayed for something special to happen - 43

Elijah found time to continue in prayer - 43

Elijah believed God would answer prayer - 44

Are you really praying enough?

Is God satisfied with your prayer life?

How are you praying?

Have you been praying for your leaders?

Have you been praying for the lost?

Have you been praying for the sick?

Have you been praying for those in need?

Have you been praying?

Are you asking for selfish items or are you seeking God's blessings on others?

How is your faith? Has it been lacking?

Do you believe God hears your prayers?

JUST A FEW MORE QUESTIONS…

Will you come and pray for our nation?

Our president?

The lost?

Our church?

Your pastor?

Each other?