James 5:16-18 (NIV)
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is
powerful and effective.17 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. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth
produced its crops.
In his book Miracles in Black, Dr. John C. Wengatz tells
of an African convert who was left at a new mission station to carry on the
Lord's work with a cannibal tribe. It was the dry season when Joao Mbaxi took
over, but soon the tropical rains would be coming. Month after month went by,
however, without a cloud appearing in the sky. Then came the time for the
normal dry period. By now everyone was suffering, and many were on the brink of
starvation.
In all the years they had worshiped their ancient gods,
the rains had never failed them, and so Joao was told that he must leave the
country and take "the white man's God" with him. The courageous
Christian refused to go. Then, flushed with anger, the chief sullenly warned,
"If your God is as good as you say and so powerful that He rules the sky,
why doesn't He send us the needed showers? If it doesn't rain by sunrise
tomorrow, we will drink your blood and eat your flesh!"
Recalling the Biblical account of Elijah, Joao went to
his hut and prayed for divine help with the same urgency as that of the ancient
prophet. Meanwhile the members of the tribe waited for the dawn when the
Christian leader would become the victim of their horrible feast. Just before daylight,
thunder was heard in the distance, lightning flashed across the sky, and
abundant rain refreshed the entire region! As a result, Joao was able to
continue his work for Christ.
The prayer of someone who is totally dependent on the
Lord is powerful!
Dear Lord, thank You that we can come to You in prayer.
Help us to keep our self righteous in all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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