“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” James 5:17
I anticipated the question before Katie even got home to ask it. She hasn’t been feeling very well lately, so I KNEW she wasn’t going to want to go out to eat. But I was ready! Coming through the door she greeted me, and then skipped the small talk and asked ‘the question!’ ”What’s the plan?”
I’ve been married to this woman for decades. I KNOW that, ”What’s the plan?” is REALLY CODE for, ‘what’s for dinner!’ KNOWING her favorite food and ANTICIPATING her mood helped me with a very simple answer that was guaranteed to please. “PIZZA!” I replied. Evidence of a sickly smile was proof that I had NAILED IT!!
When you think about it, Pizza, like a good Sub Sandwich, is a perfect food! If ordered correctly it has ALL the major food groups, is relatively inexpensive (I collect coupons) and it’s quick and easy. 1 phone call, a short drive and BAMM!!! Hooked up! The ONLY thing that can really go wrong is getting sick of eating it! Which only spoiled people could do anyway, right?
Because we EAT EVERY DAY, satisfying our hunger in a ‘non-prison camp’ environment CAN become difficult. Food can easily turn into a quest for pleasure instead of simply providing sustenance. It is EASY to replace the goal with a desire instead. We have been studying about prayer, and I have been convicted, possibly on behalf of all Christendom, that we have been doing the whole prayer thing…wrong! The evidence is there!
“What do you want, need or desire,” turns into a printed prayer list. When we don’t get what we want or like, it is easy to complain! I know because I’m good at it! But THANKFULLY, God is a God of Love and Grace who puts up with all of my selfish and childish ways. But unless I grow up and get smarter, I fear I may just be talking to the wind and receiving only rice and water for the effort!
I’ve come to believe that this Bible verse is literally a seed of wackiness planted by God. It seems out of context and leaves the goal or purpose up to the reader. Hadn’t God already warned Israel that failure to obey him would lead to drought and famine (Dt. 28:24)? Could it be that Elijah, like me with Katie, already KNEW and ANTICIPATED God’s will, and that he spoke those prophetic words in COOPERATION with God’s will and purpose? It’s food for thought!
What does GOD WANT from me? What does HE want me to pray earnestly for… and WHY? Does my prayer factor in HIS WILL? Or am I just asking for selfish desires that actually provide NO sustenance to forward His Gospel and will in this dying world? Do I pray to accomplish HIS will, or to simply get prayer over with? I’m just looking for a pizzadatruth!
What do YOU really want?
