Focal passage: 1 Kings 17:17-24
An older lady in our congregation has been a constant source of support and encouragement over the last 14 years that I have served my local church. Although she is not always able to serve in the areas she once led, God has been gracious in allowing her another opportunity: she is a faithful prayer warrior. She devotedly serves others through intercessory prayer.
We find Elijah in the wilderness following his faithful proclamation to the evil King Ahab. After a widow and her son welcome him into their home and God provides them food, Elijah is again tested in faithfulness to God. Just as things begin to settle down, the account tells us that the widow’s son falls ill and stops breathing. Forgetting how the Lord had provided, her grief causes her to lash out against Elijah, asking what he had against her, assuming God’s judgment through the difficult days.
Without offering a reply to her harsh words, Elijah asks for her son and carries him to the upper room, crying out to God about why He brought this tragedy upon the family. He asks the Lord to restore the boy’s life.
Elijah’s persistent prayer exhibited his boldness toward God. God hears and answers Elijah’s prayer, causing the widow to say “now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”
Her confession indicates that she came to faith through this painful experience. She saw that she could trust Elijah’s God. Elijah’s persistent prayers testified to God’s faithfulness. When you and I are faithful in prayer, the world can see the trust we have in Christ.