Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited

 

A Prayerful Attitude

Elijah approached Ahab and said:  "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the turmoil of  downpour." Had this wicked king learned anything from the day's events?  The account does not say specifically, but we find there is no words of repentance, no request that the prophet help him approach Jehovah and seek forgiveness. No, Ahab simply "proceeded to go up to eat and drink." (1 Kings 18:41, 42)  What about Elijah?

"As for Elijah, he went up to the top of Carmel and began crouching to the earth and keeping his face put betwen his knees."  While Ahab went off to fill his stomach, Elijah had an opporutunity to pray to his heavenly Father.  Note the humble posture described here-Elijah on the ground with his head bowed so low that his face was near his knees.  What was Elijah doing? We need not guess.  The Bible at James 5:18  tells us that Elijah prayed for the drought to end. Likely he was offering such a prayer on top of Carmel. 

Earlier, Jehovah had said: "I am determined to give rain upon the surface of the ground." (1 Kings 18:1) Elijah prayed for the fulfillment of Jehovah's stated will, much as Jesus taught his followers to pray some one thousand years later. - MATTHEW 6:9, 10. 

Elijah's example teaches us much about prayer. Foremost in Elijah's thoughts was the accomplishment of God's will.  When we pray, it is good to remember:"No matter what it is that we ask according to [God's] will,  he hears us." (1 John 5:14)  Clearly, then,, we need to know  what God s will is in order to pray acceptably-a good reason to make Bible study a paert of our daily life.  Surely Elijah also wanted to see an end to the drought because of all the suffering among the people of his homeland. His heart was likely full of  thanksgiving after the miracle he had seen Jehovah perform that day.  We likewise want our prayers to reflect heartfelt thanksgiving and concern for the welfare of others. - Read  2 CORINTHIANS 1:11; PHILIPPIANS 4:6. 

Next time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited - Confident and Watchful

From the jw.org publications