“So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’ Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!’ So he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.”’” —1 Kings 18:42-44 (NKJV)
Recently, I was handling a difficult case and asked the lady involved if she prayed often. She said yes. However, I knew something was amiss because if she were truly praying effectively, she wouldn’t be in that condition. So, I inquired further and asked how long she prays. She replied that she prays for fifteen minutes daily.
Then I realized where the problem was coming from. Beloved, there is nothing wrong with praying for fifteen minutes or less; it shows that you recognize the role of God in your life. But you see, if you want to build real intimacy with the Father, short prayers will not suffice. If you are going to break through the siege the enemy brings against you, short prayers will not fix it.
If you are going to solve real-life problems, it will not happen with short prayers. The reason is that the currency needed to fix certain issues in life is your intimacy with God, and this is often achieved when you tarry in the place of prayer for a long time.
A vivid example is the case of Elijah the Prophet. After he told Ahab to go and eat, he went to pray, as seen in our opening text. When he started praying, nothing happened immediately, but he continued praying and asking his servant to go and check for a sign. He didn’t stop until he knew there was a cloud.
Imagine if he had given up the first time he started praying; nothing would have changed. But because he continued, the atmosphere shifted, and rain came after many years of drought. So, beloved, if you truly want to have intimacy with the Lord and solve difficult issues, you must learn to engage in long prayers. At first, it may look tiring, but as you continue to give yourself to prayer, you will get used to it, and things will begin to change around you. Praise God!
Today’s Rhema
If you truly want to have intimacy with God and solve difficult issues going on in your life, you must learn to engage in long prayers!
Confession for the Day
Father, I am grateful for this eye-opening article. I receive grace today to tarry in the place of prayer, and as I do this, I am growing in intimacy with You and making progress on all sides in Jesus’ name. Amen!
