Famine had gripped the Kingdom of Israel.  Its king had abandoned the worship of God and embraced the worship of Baal.  The land where God had performed miracles for the Israelites was now filled with altars of worship for Baal.  To get King Ahab’s attention God had withdrawn His favor.   For three and a half years there had been no dew or rain. 

Times were desperate when God gave the prophet Elijah this word:

“Present yourself to Ahab and I will send rain on the land.”  (1 Kings 18:1)

So Elijah went to Ahab and presented him with a challenge  – Baal versus God.  On Mt. Carmel, on an altar of sacrifice, God demonstrated His mighty power as the powerlessness of Baal was exposed.  With this great victory, Elijah announced to Ahab that God would now send rain. 

Then Elijah does something very puzzling.  He climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, then he,

 “bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.” (1 King 18:42 NLT)

With great intensity, Elijah prayed.  He prayed not once, but seven times sending his servant each time to look for a sign that rain was on its way.

Elijah had already received a word from the Lord that it would rain.  He had been obedient to God’s instruction and faced Ahab.  He even declared to Ahab that there would be a rainstorm.  Elijah believed that God would send the rain, so why was Elijah praying?

Elijah wasn’t praying for the rain.  He wasn’t asking God if He would send the rain.  Elijah’s prayers, the intensity of his prayers, were about the timing.  It wasn’t about the “if,” his prayers were about the “when.”

There are times that our prayer focus, like Elijah’s, needs to shift from praying for the “if” and instead with intensity pray for the “when.”

Oh, Lord, help me to believe wholeheartedly the promises of your Word, to be obedient, and then put my faith into action by praying for Your timing.  Let me believe for the “if” and with intensity pray for the “when.”