Let's rejoin Elijah in his triumph on Mt. Carmel. Elijah prays. God sets fire to the sacrifice and the people are convinced once again that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18:30). Ahab and his false prophets are defeated. In fact, Elijah has the false prophets put to death. When King Ahab reports to his wife Jezebel what happened on Carmel, she is none too happy. In fact, she threatens Elijah. By the same time tomorrow she intends to see him dead. Elijah, fresh off the high of God's success on Carmel, and just having seen the 3 year drought ended (1 Kings 18:41-46), is so afraid of Jezebel's threat that he runs away and hides in the desert. For Reflection: Elijah was a man of God, but still a man. He was subject to highs and lows, triumphs and defeats. We can ask ourselves why, when he had just seen how powerfully God worked, was he afraid of Jezebel. But the real question is, would I do any better? When I know God's power, why am I afraid? Let us pray. God, it seems we all doubt you at some point in our lives, even when we know better. It must be frustrating for you. I'm sorry that I doubt you, sometimes on a daily basis. Lord, I believe. Help me to overcome my fear and unbelief (see Mark 9:24).
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"Go and make disciples" is a powerful command from Jesus which is not to be taken lightly. Last weekend we at Manna Prayer made an effort to "Go" by having a space at a local Labor Day Festival. Amid booths for home remodeling, drug addiction, and candidates for public office, we offered to pray with people. A number of folks stopped by to inquire and some to share faith. We passed out brochures and business cards. Just a simple effort to bring Jesus into the public square. For Reflection: What efforts am I making to fulfill the great commission of Jesus to "Go!"? Let us pray. Jesus, I don't find it easy to go out among people and talk about you publicly. However, if you can use me, I'm willing. It's showdown time at Mount Carmel. Ahab and Elijah meet and Elijah throws down a challenge. King Ahab is to gather the 450 prophets of Baal that he has been taking care of and Jezebel is to present her 400 prophets of Asherah (nature and fertility gods) to stand in a test against Elijah, prophet of the Lord. Elijah tries to whip up enthusiasm and faith among the people of Israel, but not even he can succeed at that. They want to wait and see who wins the challenge. The challenge (as issued by Elijah): "Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire - he is God" (1 Kings 18:23-24). The outcome: The false prophets prayed from morning until noon. Nothing. They prayed from noon until evening. Nothing. Elijah prepared the altar of the Lord. He had the wood soaked in water until a trench around the altar was also full of water. Elijah prayed once. "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones of the altar and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench" (1 Kings 18:38). For reflection: Elijah let the other prophets have first choice of the bulls to be offered. The bull was one of the symbols of Baal representing lust for power and sexual pleasure. Those are still powerful gods today. Am I dedicated only to the one true God or are there others in my life? Let us pray. You alone are holy. You alone are the Lord. You alone, Jesus Christ, are the most high. |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
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