Pray Passionately

“Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees." 
1 Kings 18:42 (NIV)

When did you last pray as if your life depended on it?

Today’s Scripture describes a man desperate in prayer. Elijah climbed Mount Carmel and fell to his knees with his face to the ground. This was no casual "bless this food" prayer. This was a "lay by myself at your feet" prayer. God wanted us to know Elijah meant business. He had been driven literally to his knees.

James describes it this way: "He prayed earnestly," (James 5:17, NIV). Elijah wasn't just talking to the Lord; he was calling on the Lord.

The bigger the need, the more passionate the prayer. Think about it. If your fifteen-year-old daughter was clinging to life after a car accident, you wouldn't pray politely. You would be begging God, exhorting God, pleading with God, passionately telling God, "Please heal my daughter!"

God does business with those who mean business with God. If you mean business with God, God will do business with you.

Too many times we play when we pray. God wants us to pray when we pray. Pray what you mean and really mean what you pray.

When you face your impossible situation this week, don't pray casually. Get on your knees, literally. Pour out your heart. Pray as if everything depends on Him, then obey as if everything depends on you.

God responds to passionate, earnest prayer.

Prayer: Father, thank You for hearing every prayer. Forgive me for the times I pray without thinking, going through the motions. Teach me to pray earnestly, passionately, desperately because I need You that much. I mean business with You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.