Word for the day “Leaders, don’t stop praying.”

I Kings 18: 41 (NKJV) Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So, he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.”

  Beloved leaders,

Consider today’s devotion and message as one that is urgent for your life. I sincerely believe with all my heart that leaders must learn the power of prayer. The gift of prayer is a means by which we communicate with God, and God communicates with us. I trust and pray that value will be added to your day and life concerning prayer and your leadership life.

    READ CAREFULLY TODAY’S MESSAGE; YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT:

“And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, cast himself down upon the earth, put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. He went up and looked and said there was nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there arises a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand” (1 Kings 18:42-44). Elijah was human and was affected by the same things we are: the same fears, longings, hopes, despair, and needs—yet his prayers got results! God is showing us here what to do in every crisis: Run to Him! Get in an earnest posture, pray until doors open, and sometimes, doors may need to be shut. Elijah prayed earnestly and kept praying and waiting until the Lord answered. He sent his servant seven times to look over the horizon for just one little sign.

    The challenge of having a prayer life is real for all of us. Today, after one or two prayer sessions, we give up or get frustrated with God. We say, “It didn’t work for me. I prayed, and my husband and I are still having problems. I still don’t have what I need.” Remember, Prayer does not work like God is a slot machine or a Genie. God has our best interests at heart, and when we pray, we submit to His resolution. It is obvious that people do not pray because they don’t think it works. However, many of us don’t know what persevering in prayer means, going back, as demonstrated by Elijah in this context, time and again, with our heads bowed.

  It’s challenging to keep praying when no answers are realized. A glance at some biblical leaders shares this challenge: The upright man named Job had given up any expectation of better days himself during his time. He wished he had never been born because life had become tough for him to handle (Job 3:1-3 NRSV). Read where Jacob had given up any expectation of ever seeing Joseph again. Yet after many days, months, and years, God answered their prayers (Genesis 46:28-31). Again and again, in Scripture, God encourages us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, for he hears every single prayer. He is a rewarder of those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6). The Lord declares that those who sow in tears will eventually reap with shouts of joy (Psalm 126:5).

 WHATEVER HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE, “DON’T STOP PRAYING”

We call this “laying hold of God.” In the Old Testament, it is referred to as “wrestling with God.” Jacob’s prayer was, “I won’t let You go until You bless me” (Genesis 32:26, NASB). The waiting and delays are meant to conform us to Christ. You can’t spend a lot of time in the Lord’s presence without getting to know Him (Romans 8:28-29). The longer the answer is delayed and the more effectually you pray, the more something is happening even when you don't see it.

  It’s a powerful and great way to connect and fellowship with God. In fact, prayer provides us with an amazing opportunity to intercede on behalf of others. And it’s also a great weapon used against our enemy, Satan (Ephesians 6:12). So, no matter how you see it, keep doing it. One way or the other, you are going to win. "Don't stop praying." Prayer really changes things.

 Our leadership, Grace and Truth Leadership, has a virtual Zoom life and leadership conference call line. Meeting ID 879 6767 1576 Passcode 980651, it meets every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Feel free to join us in an effort to learn and grow in your leadership and prayer with God.

Special Thanks,

Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) James Baker, Jr., and our leadership team are incredibly thankful to those aligned with us. Help us equip this generation of leaders for their God-given assignments. Your generous donation supports our labor of love, From Grace and Truth Leadership's mission to embrace, empower, and encourage leaders and emerging leaders globally.