Hello!
Something I wanted to share from these two verses that I found particularly comforting is that God chose to use the phrase "Elijah was a man just like us" (vs. 17a). Sometimes we can get so down on ourselves, on who we are in our faith lives, and focus only on our weak areas and where we need to grow...but the fact is, even a great hero of faith - Elijah - did too! He had sinfulness, weaknesses, areas of shame just like we do. But he also had the same loving Father and by Grace held onto the same forgiveness and hope that we do. When we compare ourselves to others, for some reason we always think that there's no way we could ever be like that person, or do that great thing. But we all as humans are just that - humans. We all have a limiting point, but we all also have great potential. Through Jesus, we can access that same amazing prayer power that Elijah did! I think that is just SO GREAT! We can move mountains by our prayers, as tiny and quiet as they may seem sometimes. The factors that change everything are our trust in and earnesty on God to do his good will for us in our lives!
We read that Elijah prayed specific prayers; he also prayed alot, for a long time- he prayed earnestly.
I am very easily impatient and so this is a grave topic for me; in realizing how quickly I have given up on things in the past, I know that God needs to work in me a greater patience and long-suffering, a greater trust in Him so that I DO persist in my prayers.
What do you girls think on this subject of prayer? Encouragement, ideas, prayers?
Thinking about each and every one of you as we wrap up our last week in James!
Love you,
~Cait
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Thanks so much for that, Caitlin! I had to laugh when I read those verses, because when I mentioned Elijah before, I wasn't reading on to the next verses, but I probably had him in mind from reading the chapter in whole earlier. I, too, was struck by the phrase--a man, just like us. I needed your reminder to keep praying, because in these past two weeks, I have been at the point of giving up...even now I am burdened. I want to let God carry these things and to lighten my heart. But it is not easy.
ReplyDeleteI called you and left a VM, but I'm not sure if you're able to get them with your phone not working :) but anyway - call me this weekend! Afternoons are best because I'm at work during the mornings. (This is my last weekend at Perkin's forever! AH!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, should you need to talk/vent/look for encouragement, I'll be here. Hope to hear from you soon, dear!