pray until



"Elias [Elijah] 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.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain...." (James 5:17-18).

We are not shown in Scripture how that Elijah prayed that it might not rain; except, that he prayed "earnestly".  We are clearly told, however, the manner in which Elijah prayed for rain ~ after that it had not rained for three and a half years:

"And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 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."  (1 Kings 18:42-43)

There, we are given some idea of what it means to pray "earnestly".  It is exactly the same thing that Jesus showed unto us, in the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke chapter 18).  In fact, the Spirit of God revealed to us the meaning and purpose of that parable, saying: "And [Jesus] spake unto them a parable [for this purpose], that men ought always to pray, and [not quit, not give up]".

Does Christ not know the secrets and reality of prayer?  If you know anything about the life of Jesus, you must know Jesus was and yet is a man of prayer; and, that his prayers always receive answers from God.

Do not make the mistake, however, of supposing that repetitious prayer is the same thing as earnest prayer; it is not.  In the example of Elijah's manner of praying, and in the parable of the widow and the unjust judge: though it appears that, in both cases, repetitive prayer was the key; yet, it was not.  Rather, we are meant to understand, in both examples, that the key to answered prayer is unwavering determination to receive the thing desired from God.  Jesus himself said that God will surely answer us ~ if we will not stop short in our praying and seeking God for whatever we ask of Him.

Of course, our asking must be in accordance with God's will.  Unhappily, that is a point of failure in prayer, for far too many people: They don't know enough about God's Word to know what is God's will.  They do not really know God's nature, His mind, His purpose, His promises.  How tragic for them, especially, if through carelessness and indifference they persist in life having their understanding darkened by their own willful ignorance.  How can God meet, much less answer, the infrequent, uncertain prayers of such persons?

Elijah was a man just like us; that's what the Bible says.  Yet, he prayed earnestly.  There's the difference between us and him.  There is something else about Elijah, though, which made him very different from most of us.  That is, Elijah was a holy man: he loved the righteousness of God; he hated the wickedness of sin.  Importantly, Elijah's manner of approaching God with earnestness of heart in prayer, had very much to do with Elijah's spiritual transformation.

God greatly desires to answer earnest prayers.  In the parable of the widow, in Luke 18, Jesus concluded by saying: "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily."  (Luke 18:7-8)

Speedily ~ "though he bear long with them".  What does that mean?  How does "speedily" agree with "bear long with [the praying person]"?  What is God "bearing long with", in our praying?  It is: our doubtful mind; our uncommitted asking; our pride, or selfishness, or ulterior motives; our shortsightedness, not rightly understanding what we ask for; our distrust of God's promise and faithfulness; etc..  Therefore, God "bears long with" us in prayer.  But through that very process ~ if we will come to God earnestly, sincerely; and, if we will "not faint"; God will work through our praying to change us, to bring us more and more perfectly in line with His will ~ to the place where God will "speedily" answer such praying.

In a recent article, I posed the question: Whatever happened to divine healing?  I'll tell you what happened to it.  We lost it a long time ago ~ about the same time that we lost the truth of the new birth; and the reality of the baptism of the Holy Ghost; and compassion for lost souls.  We lost our inheritance in Christ when we were tempted, through prosperity and worldly distractions, to let down from earnestly seeking God.  Sadder still, we have continued for such a long time content with the mere memory of what once was; confusing religion with the divine life of God; and deceiving our own hearts by so many carnal pleasures we substituted for the joy of the Lord.  I can almost see Jesus weeping over us, just as he wept over Jerusalem many long years ago. "How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not" (Luke 13:34).

Yet, I find in myself that God is the One who is seeking ~ seeking to restore to His people the precious treasures of God, for which Jesus was willing to give his life.  God is so merciful: He "delights in mercy"; but He takes no pleasure in them that draw back from Him.

He is a loving Father.  So, He chastens His own children betimes ~ in order that we might be partakers of His holiness.  O! how unspeakably gracious! that God is willing we should be like He is.  We are ready in an instant to receive healing for our bodies, when so ever we suffer affliction.  But how is it that we feel no pain by reason of our sin-sick soul?  We have drifted apart from God for so long that we don't even know in which direction we should be headed.  The lack of spiritual discernment in the churches is appalling, frightening.  I used to think that God must be very angry about the Apostasy of our generation; I reckon, He is indeed angry.  Though, more and more I seem to feel in my own heart that God's heart is broken for us.

O! but I'm so glad for His greatness!  God is not powerless; He is not limited.  He will not pine away in sorrow, helplessly beholding our plight.  God has provided Himself a Sacrifice, and the world a Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, and Way-maker.  And bless His Name! He is making a way that we may return unto Him!  Believe it!  It is the truth.  It is God at work.

I hear the voices answering back: "But the Bible says that judgment is coming; that the end of the Age will be darkness and tribulation; that Antichrist is coming....".  Yes.  But only to those who spurn the love and mercy of God.  The devil knows his time is now very short.  But so does God know the time is now short, and that the great door of mercy will soon be shut ~ where after, no man will be able to open it.  Yet, God first has a purpose ~ and a promise ~ to fulfill: in order to which, God is moving to restore the foundations....in preparation for Revival.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.  Thank God, none of us has to miss it ~ if we will take God seriously.  Return, return!  And pray earnestly, until....

It will come.  I say, God Himself will come.  And with Him, healing ~ for all who call upon Him.

It is the time of the latter rain ~ upon which the harvest depends.  All things in order.