Day 10 – Let It Rain

Day 10 “Let It Rain” – 1 Kings 18:41-46

It had been three and half years of drought when Elijah stood on Mount Carmel and boldly declared to King Ahab, “I hear a mighty rainstorm coming.” There wasn’t a cloud in the sky nor any evidence that would indicate a coming rainstorm. But Elijah had just witnessed one of the great demonstrations of God’s power as he called fire from heaven which consumed both the altar and all of the false prophets of Baal. It was a moment of both divine judgment and supernatural display as God was again proving Himself the One True God.

Although there was no physical evidence of the coming rain, Elijah discerned from God’s Spirit and then declared prophetically what was to come. This bold act of faith demonstrates what it’s like to trust God’s word over present circumstances.

The truth is, God is always speaking. One of the amazing aspects of fasting is that it helps quiet the noise so we can hear God’s voice and get a clearer sense of where He’s leading us. But notice what follows Elijah’s prophetic declaration: “But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.”  

What Elijah had discerned spiritually impacted his posture physically. He had gained insight into what God intended to do, but he also understood his part in seeing it actually happen. Elijah knew that God’s will must be prayed into existence.

Seven times Elijah instructed his servant to check the sky for evidence of rain. Six times the servant returned reporting no changes. But what both Elijah and his servant couldn’t see were the invisible elements taking place that would eventually lead to a visible cloud.

They couldn’t see the water vapor rising into the air as Elijah prayed. They were unaware that the water vapor was condensing into tiny pieces of dust which were forming billions of invisible droplets coming together for the formation of a visible cloud.

But suddenly, the servants seventh trip discovered “a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Even when it seemed nothing was changing, God was working in the invisible realm.

Elijah didn’t allow what he couldn’t see in that moment to deter him from praying what He knew God intended to bring. And it wasn’t long before a mighty rainstorm began.

Faith trusts even when the evidence is invisible. Just because you can’t see it yet doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Believe God is working behind the scenes, and your answer is being formed in the invisible realm. Just like a cloud eventually appeared, you too will see God’s answer in a powerful way. Keep on believing, don’t stop praying, because a mighty rainstorm of miracles is on the way!

In Genesis 18:22-33, there is a fascinating story about prayer. In the preceding verses, God gave Abraham insight into His plan to bring judgment on the city of Sodom, which was one of the most wicked places in history. Then Abraham responded by asking God to relent His judgment if there were fifty righteous people in the city. Once Abraham received God’s grace, he asked for just a little more, and a little more, until finally he got down to just ten. God once again granted his request: if there were ten righteous people in the city God would not destroy it.

Yet, in the end, Sodom was still found lacking morality, even in the face of the most gracious standard of righteousness, and the city received the full measure of judgment.

It is such an interesting story about prayer and the fate of Sodom. But what if this story was never about changing the fate of Sodom, but increasing the faith of Abraham? God brought His plans to Abraham not because He wanted Abraham to understand the wickedness of Sodom, but because He wanted Abraham to understand His nature. In fact, the whole key to this story is what we read at the end of verse 22 and the beginning of verse 23: “Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near…” (ESV). It is interesting that the thing which stopped Abraham in his tracks was the same thing which caused him to draw near.

We often think prayer is about deliverance from problems rather than drawing near to His presence, but God sees it as both. He is a God who answers prayer, to be sure! In this passage alone God said yes to Abraham’s prayer six times! He loves partnering with us in prayer, and He delights in answering our requests!

But it is in the process of drawing near to Him that we receive so much more from Him.

In this fast, there is probably a list of things that you are praying for personally. Yet those things which have stopped you in your tracks are the very things which are drawling you into His presence. This fast is about so much more than getting a response from Heaven; it’s about cultivating a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

God is going to answer your prayers, and in that process He is going to show you His character. Because you have chosen to draw near, you will never be the same!