Thursday, November 17, 2011
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. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17-18
James gives the example of Elijah in today’s verse. Remember that he is making the argument for the person who is sick to pray and to be prayed for by Godly people. He points out some very key things about Elijah. First, that Elija “was a man subject to like passions as we are.” What does this mean? Elijah was a prophet who ministered in Israel. You can read about this account in 1 Kings 17 and 18. Elijah wasn’t some superhuman person who could control the weather by his own will. He was a normal person, who, like us, is subject to the same temptations and desires that we face. God controlled the weather, not Elijah. Yet, at the same time when Elijah asked God, God granted His requests.
Prayer is powerful enough to stop and bring rain, and prayer is powerful enough to turn a heart back to God.
Application: Prayer is so powerful. You and I have the opportunity to communicate with the God of the Universe. Make sure to take time to talk to God throughout the day today.
Study the Scriptures with Ben Jennings 
This verse is saying that Elias was ha man like us and he prayed with faith for it not to rain and for three years and six month I didn’t rain, and he prayed again and it rained so then the heaven brought his fruit. This means that if you pray to god you get to know him and have a relationship with him and pray with faith and he will give you what you want, because prayer is powerful and we need to show that we care so if we talk to god he will listen and answer our prayers because hi loves you and wants to lead you to the path of righteousness!! 🙂
prayer is so powerful!! these verses are saying that Elias was a man like us and prayed with faith.he prayed for it not to rain and it didn’t for 3 yrs.and 6 mths.then he prayed again and it rained and it brought the fruit.we should all pray with faith.like yesterday.my guinea pig was sick.i kept praying and praying that she would be ok.this morning,she didn’t make it.shes dead.i wasn’t praying with faith cause her conditions were so bad.but i know God did this for a reason.i know he did.sometimes we pray and pray for things good and doesn’t work out that way.he does that for a reason.great devo today!! 🙂 see u guys sunday!!! 🙂 <33333333
It love it how we can just talk to God! No fancy words, not in a certain place. Just talking.
What this is saying is that prayer is amazing it’s so awesome how we can just talk to God the creator and thank him or ask him to be with you and a really cool thing is that he will hear your prayer and do it that’s so cool! 🙂
I think Ben C made a great point- we don’t have to use fancy words to talk to God, we can just talk! I’ve been praying & thanking God throughout today. I feel that He’s always with me & I like that comforting feeling 🙂 I got my braces off today (yay!:)) & as I was getting them off, I prayed the entire process. I was scared I’m not gonna lie. I was nervous for how my smile would look, if it was gonna hurt, and just hoping for good result after almost 3 years!! I was laying in the chair and praying to God the entire time, even whn it didn’t hurt. He was calming my nerves!! Prayer is definitley powerful, and I think it’s important to always pray to our God. He loves us and wants to hear from us 🙂
lindsey,when i open up the internet,it goes straight to my mom’s facebook and the latest thing that was posted was a pic of u w/out ur braces! u look so pretty! 🙂 i almost couldn’t tell it was u! 🙂
whoo! 🙂 cant wait to see your beautiful smile!
Thanks Allie & Grace!!! 🙂
Ally* haha my bad 🙂
its ok linds! its really allie but i spelled ally for a change! 🙂
Prayer IS so powerful! I think we all definetly take advantage of prayer, I know I do. Like Pastor Ben said, we all have the capability to talk to the God of the Universe, yet we don’t always, or sometimes only when it’s convienent to us. I’m guilty of this for sure! I’ve made prayer one of my top priorities, because I haven’t always been as serious with prayer as I ought to. I don’t always pray for others, or I only pray for things right off the top of my head and forget important things. That’s why I’ve had to write down things I need to pray for, because it’s so important. As Linds said, Ben Catapane made a great point! Growing up I always thought I had to pray a certain way for it to count, especially when I was asked to pray aloud. I would get nervous and too shy cause I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. But I was proven wrong, and learned that prayer isn’t something that has to be read off a card, or a script, it’s what comes from the heart and that’s what I absoultley love about it! I don’t think I’ve ever been so honest with someone before, and that’s God. I know that I can take everything to Him, because even though I make mistakes, He forgives me and still loves me no matter what. I’ve heard this a lot before, but didn’t really grasp it until I completely fell in love with God. “No one will ever love you as much as God will.” I totally believe that, because it’s true! I’m not saying that parents, or brothers or sisters don’t love you a lot, because they do(!), but what I am saying is, that God’s love is incredible, and it’s the truest love out there! Prayer is evidence of that love! I’m so thankful I can have open communication with God, anytime and anyplace!
Really loved the devotion today! (I always do, but y’all know what I mean… :)) James is almost done.. 2 verses left. Let’s end it with a BANG tomorrow!
i love how we can talk to god through prayer. its not like we can just grab our cell phone and go “yo god whats up?” lol tht would be cool tho. but we talk to him through prayer!!!! 🙂
God wants us to be praying all the time. We don’t need fancy words. We can just talk to Him. He will listen and if it’s what’s best for us sometimes He does what we ask. I like this verse, because it points out that Elias was just an average guy and he prayed to God and his prayer was answered. So, God will listen to ANYbody. You don’t have to be special or rich or popular…..blah blah blah. He listens to everybody! Also, It’s great that, like Melanie said, we can just pray anytime and anyplace. Today I had to do a presentation in front of my class and I was so nervous….I just kept asking God to help me through it (i was soooooo nervous!) and I got a 100% !! God is good ;D
Co comments everybody! Like you guys were saying prayer is a powerful tool and it is so cool that we can talk to God whenever we want and that is so cool!
Can you believe we are almost done with James? I am so proud of all of you!