Dr. Sam Wolfe

The frigid waters of the northern part of our globe contain many icebergs. Although some are gigantic in size, only the tip of them can be seen—for most of their vast substance is below the surface of the water. I believe it is mandatory that we understand that there is far more to prayer than what we see above the surface. Most Christians view it as a devotional activity, but the Bible teaches us that prayer is a work. Consider the words of Paul:

“Epaphras, who is one of you…always laboring fervently for you in prayer…” (Colossians 4:12).

The words, “laboring fervently” speak of more than a devotional quiet time activity—they speak of spiritual work. James tells us that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” He based his statement on the prayer of Elijah who engaged in the work of prayer for revival in Israel. Elijah labored fervently in prayer to loose by prayer what prayer had bound, namely rain for the drought-stricken land of Israel.

God found in Elijah a man whom He could use to accomplish His objective in the life of His people. He set the heart of Elijah to praying that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three years and six months. God brought judgment upon the land through this Godly man—and He also brought blessing, for Elijah prayed again and the rain returned. Now what happened between Elijah’s prayer for drought and his prayer for rain is very revealing.

Elijah’s work of prayer came from his heart of Godly jealousy and His concern for revival. Israel had rebelled against God and turned to idolatry and this grieved the prophet’s heart. From out of his jealousy for the glory of God, he challenged the prophets of Baal and on Carmel the test of deities was displayed. Let the God who answers by fire be honored as God. This was God’s way of getting the attention of His backslidden people.

The prophets of Baal prayed in vain to a false god who could not answer. Elijah prayed and God answered by fire and consumed the sacrifice on the altar. Then the people cried, “the Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.” After this national repentance, the prophet was free to pray for the blessing of God to return to His people. He prayed and God sent the rain.

I know my remarks are brief and scattered, but the point I want to emphasize is that Elijah had an objective to accomplish in prayer and God heard and answered. Likewise, we must labor in prayer to accomplish the needed objective in our situation. Personally, I have a work of prayer. There are definite things I have set out to accomplish by means of prayer. I’m sure you can identify with me in my concern. Do you not have unsaved people who are near and dear to you? Is there a need in your church for genuine revival? Is Satan rampant in your community? Is not our society wicked and sodden because Satan is unchecked? Have not multitudes of God’s people become spiritually cold, disobedient and indifferent—and many are unaware of their destitute condition? Is not America fast becoming a veritable Sodom and Gomorrah? Have not many churches turned from the “ways of God” and begun to rely on that which is familiar to the flesh, but foreign to the Holy Spirit in their program? Have not many churches been conditioned to accept something less than Bible preaching? A thousand times – YES!

Do we not have our “work of prayer cut out for us?” I am convinced that nothing short of an approach like Elijah’s is needed for our day. Prayer is God’s appointed means of getting His work done—therefore, prayer for awakening judgment is in order, along with prayer for revival. God will not bless what He cannot bless—therefore, we must pray for conditions to prevail in which God will be pleased to give us the “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.”

This should be our WORK OF PRAYER.