I never thought Elijah would command six Lessons on prayer! But the Lord seemed to impress my heart (yesterday) about today’s emphasis. The PLACE Elijah prayed when he “won” his greatest victory of life, spiritually speaking.
Many in Scripture did have a special “location” where they prayed. Or at least a “place” where prayer became essential to their lives. What a concept, famous places of prayer!
Like Gethsemane!
Like the belly of a whale!
Like a recently made altar!
Like a lonely sleeping place, where one’s head rested on a rock all night!
And … like a mountain top, one associated with the Presence of God!
And the five just mentioned places do link, in order, to … Jesus, Jonah, Abraham, Jacob and Elijah!
In fact our Lord, while making it clear there was no one special place (better than any other) where a man was required to pray … a “closet” was not a bad idea either! “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6
Let me show you what I mean, from 1st Kings 19, Elijah at Horeb, really better known as Mount Sinai. Realistically it was about a 200 mile walk from Beersheba (where the angel fed Elijah those 2 meals) to Horeb! At least a ten day trek under hurried circumstances! “And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” 1st Kings 19:8, sounds like Elijah took his time!
The next verse, “And Elijah came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?” The “conversation” has already begun.
Now talk about prayer … God to Elijah: “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by ….” 1st Kings 19:11, the Lord manifested Himself once again, there at Horeb, Sinai! What a place to pray!
And it was there, “at the mouth of the cave,” that God encouraged Elijah.
And gave him 3 future assignments.
And, best of all, did not rebuke him once for being so despondent!
They talked, as Friend with friend.
Yet, the Lord further instructed him too. “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” 1st Kings 19:18
Maybe on occasion you too should try to find a special place (although, again, one can pray anywhere) to talk to the Lord. A place where He has been before … in mighty power. Or where some faithful saint of God has proved the Almighty again and again.
This tactic certainly proved helpful for Elijah!
I had a Preacher friend years ago who built a “rock altar” out behind the Church. That became his place of prayer. Though the man prayed everywhere he went.
I love to pray when flying, try it sometime at 36,000 feet. The clouds beside you, God via His Holy Spirit within you, and Word of God open before you … SWEET!
In an airplane!
In the car too, another of my favorite places to pray.
And if I ever went to Horeb, I’d like to pray there too!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell