He Said, She Says: The Power of Praying God's WordSample

What He Said About Mental & Physical Illness

Elijah didn’t ignore the drought. First Kings 18 tells us this dry spell had gone on so long that it had been three years since signs of a good rain. Food was scarce. Water was likely contaminated. Famine was severe. King Ahab even searched “every spring and valley in the land to see if we can find enough grass to save at least some of my horses and mules.” Elijah was right in the thick of this, but he was a servant of God, full of faith and known for that faith.

Let’s read a bit of 1 Kings 18 from the New Living Translation:

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go and get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”… Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed. Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm.

Before he saw evidence and before he even prayed, Elijah prophesied the promises. He said “I hear not just sprinkles, but a mighty rainstorm!” Even when there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, Elijah didn’t doubt. Even on the second time they looked for rain, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth… nothing. Elijah didn’t give up or give in. And that seventh time, he saw something with more than just faith. He saw something with his eyes. He didn’t see thunderclouds growing in the distance. He didn’t even feel drops of fresh rain falling on his face. He saw a tiny cloud, the size of a hand, just over the horizon. The answer.

Before you see evidence of healing, before you even pray, prophesy the promises in today’s verses. Speak them. If faith comes by hearing, then talk to yourself over and over with His precious promises. Don’t give up. Keep looking. Even when you see nothing. Keep looking. Even on the second time you pray and proclaim, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth… don’t give up or give in. And when you see that glimmer of hope, shout His praises. His will is healing! His desire is joy! His Word is for you. Now, let’s say it.

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From He Said, She Says, by Allyson McElroy of On3Ministries.com