Effective Proclamations Thursday, Feb 23th

Pastor Chris

‘’…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available’’ [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16b).

1 Kings 17 tells us the story of how Elijah went out to Ahab the king one day and said, ‘’…As the lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word’’ (1 Kings 17:1). This verse of scripture reveals something striking about the man Elijah; his audacity of faith. But then, until you study this particular account in context you may not get the true picture or appreciate what Elijah actually did.

1 Kings 17:1 doesn’t tell us that Elijah prayed or consulted with God before he went ahead to give King Ahab the message about the drought. Rather, the impression we get is that he just proclaimed there would be no rain and stormed out of Ahab’s palace. Now, that would mean the man just went, spoke a word of faith and that was it. No! It’s true he spoke a word of faith, but James’ account shows us that there was something behind the faith Elijah spoke.

James 5:17 says ‘’Elias was a man subject to like passions like 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 6 months.’’ Before Elijah came to Ahab to speak the word of faith, he had already spoken to the Lord in his closet. Besides, it was beyond Elijah’s legal jurisdiction to stop or cause it to rain; that’s solely God’s domain. Hence all Elijah could do was to pray an earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer, and make tremendous power available to effect the change he desired.

This is where some have missed it. They say, ‘’I confessed; I made a faith proclamation, yet nothing happened.’’ Be clear on this: faith always works! But before making a public proclamation of faith, there must first be a private dealing with the Lord. This is important especially when you are dealing with a case that’s outside your jurisdiction. Jesus prayed like this many times, and the power of God was always available to Him throughout His earthly ministry.

The key is being filled with the spirit at all times; this will make your faith proclamation effective: ‘’And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…’’ (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Confession:

The word of faith is in my heart and mouth today, and I speak it forth by the power of the Holy Ghost that’s at work in me. Definite changes are effected in my life today, and circumstances are altered for God as I release spirit-inspired words, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:

1 Corinthians 14:4; Mark 11:23; Ephesians 5:18-20

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Mark 6:1-29

Leviticus 24

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 13:46-52

Job 23-24