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. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

 James 5:17-18

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. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. James 5:17-18

My preparation for teaching tomorrow on James 5:12-20 continues, and today I modified the presentation I will use to guide our discussion based on an exploration of the question that has lingered this week: why do you think the example of Elijah is provided for prayer in vv17-18?  While the commentary Christ-Centered Exposition series volume for James somewhat addresses this question, John Piper delivers a more expansive response on this question based on a sermon he did in March 1990. Piper starts by sharing how he sees many who believe - incorrectly - that prophets from the Bible like Elijah were somehow extraordinary and "cannot serve as a model for us insofar as they prayed for miracles to occur."  Yet Piper points out that the text is crystal clear in v17 that "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours."  Piper then continues sharing: "[t]he point is: Elijah was just like you so that you can be encouraged that YOUR prayers will have great effect—like stopping the rain for three and a half years....All of us should be praying for each other and our goal in praying should be to live and pray in a way that would have the same kind of healing effects as Elijah had when he prayed for rain after a three-year drought."

Amen - let us pray!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides a community of believers where we pray for one another. Thank You Jesus for this incredible blessing.  I am not deserving of such a God...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.