The Fast: DAY 9
Monday, January 12
1 Kings 18:41-43 (NIV)
“And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.””
Devotion
Elijah spoke to Ahab to go, eat, and drink because he heard the sound of an abundance of rain when there were no clouds in sight. He climbed Mt. Carmel to look for the rain to come. His prayers anticipated the answer. Elijah prayed and asked his servant to look, continued to pray, and had him look again seven times for the answer he was expecting. Elijah was seeding the clouds with prayers of faith. He was changing the atmosphere to be pregnant with anticipation, having confidence in God to deliver the rain!
Matthew 21:22, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Elijah had faith that God was bringing the rain on that day. He did not have to see it, as he heard it in his spirit. Even though the clouds were not there, Elijah continued to anticipate their coming. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Elijah prayed with assurance and with conviction.
Are you seeding the clouds? Are you praying with anticipation for God to bring the rain of His blessings on future generations? Are you praying for the rain of His favor to be on your family, your church, your nation? Are you looking with anticipation and conviction for your prayers to be answered—for that loved one who does not know Christ, for healing, or for that business transaction to go well? Whatever your prayer today, seed the clouds, and God will bring the rain!
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You hear the prayers of Your children and respond according to Your perfect timing. Like Elijah, help me to pray with faith and anticipation, even when I cannot yet see the answer. Teach me to seed the clouds with prayers of conviction, trusting that You are working behind the scenes to bring Your blessings, favor, and breakthrough into my life, my family, and my sphere of influence. Strengthen my faith to believe for the impossible, to persevere in prayer, and to rejoice in the certainty that You are faithful to fulfill Your promises. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Be intentional about praying for others, your family, friends, community, or nation. Just as Elijah prayed for the rain that would impact many, your prayers can shift the atmosphere around others and bring blessings that extend beyond yourself. Seed the clouds with intercession and trust God to answer in His timing.
Resources
- It’s week two of our fast, and it’s not too late to join! Come press in, seek God, and experience His breakthrough. Join the Fast.
- Sign up for the Fast to receive daily devotions via email
- View the interactive global Fasting map
Join The Fast