GET READY FOR YOUR RAIN OF BREATHROUGH

GOD HAS CHOSEN TO WORK THROUGH YOU
Author BISHOP KEN OBANOR

Beloved, in 2015 something good is about to happen for you, I see God restoring you and your loved ones, I see God making a way for you, I see God turning every hopeless situation around, God is turning your mess into a miracle. Pastors and church leaders, rejoice, I hear the sound of abundance of rain in your ministry, Give the Lord a shout of praise!!! Someone is about to testify. Glory to God almighty.

In 1 Kings 18 we find the story of God needing and using a person to accomplish His will through prayer. It is the account of Elijah praying for rain after three years of drought. James 5:17, 18 also mention this occasion, and we know from his account that not only did Elijah’s prayers bring rain, but they also stopped the rain three years earlier. We know we are in trouble when the prophets start praying for drought! In verse one of 1 Kings 18, after three years of this judgment, God spoke to Elijah and said, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.” Then at the end of this chapter, after several other events have occurred, Elijah prays seven times and finally the rain comes.

According to the statement in verse one, whose idea was it to send rain? Whose will? Whose initiation? Answer; God’s, not Elijah’s; Then why, if it was God’s will, idea and timing, did it take a human’s prayers to “birth” the rain? (Elijah was in the posture of a woman in the culture giving birth, symbolizing the concept of travailing prayer.) Why did Elijah have to ask SEVEN times? SEVEN is the biblical number of completion, and I’m sure God was teaching us that we must pray until the TASK is accomplished. But why would this or any other endeavor require perseverance, when it was God’s will, idea and timing?

And finally, did Elijah’s prayers really produce the rain or was it simply coincidental that he happened to be praying when God sent it?

James clarifies the answer to this last question. When he said, “YES the effectual fervent prayer” (prayer that is powerful, capable of reaching, keen, passionate, zealous, and fanatical) of this man stooped and brought the rain: 17.) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18.) And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (NAS James 5:17-18). The only logical answer to the question of why ELIJAH needed to pray is that God has chosen to work through people. It is important for every believer to understand, even when it is the Lord Himself initiating something, earnestly desiring to do it, He still needs to ask. Andrew Murray says in his writings on prayer that, “God’s giving is inseparably connected with our asking….. Only by intercession can that power be brought down from heaven which will enable the Church to conquer the world.”

I am convinced through the study of scripture, as to Elijah’s need for perseverance, that in some situations our prayers actually release cumulative amounts of God’s power until enough has been released to accomplish His will.

GOD NEEDS OUR PRAYERS
Another Scripture strongly supports the contention that even though God’s existence and character are completely independent of any created thing (see Acts 17:24,25) and God already has all resources in His hands ( see Job 41:11; Ps 50:10-12), God needs our prayers. Ezek 22:30-31 (30.) And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31.) Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. KJV

The implications of these verses are staggering. God’s holiness, integrity and uncompromising truth prevent Him from simply excusing sin. It must be judged. On the other hand not only is He Holy, but He is also love and His love always desires to redeem, to restore and to show mercy. Scripture tells us that God takes no pleasure in the DEATH of the wicked. (see Ezek 33: 11). What is this passage really saying? “While My justice demanded judgment, My love wanted forgiveness. Had I been able to find a human to ask Me to spare the people, I could have. It would have allowed Me to show mercy. Because I found no one, however, I had to destroy them.” I don’t like the implications of this passage any more than you do. You think about this great responsibility. I don’t like to consider the ramifications of a God who has somehow limited Himself to us earthly beings. But in light of these other passages, as well as the condition of our WORLD, I can come to no other conclusion.

Either God wants the earth in this condition or He doesn’t.

If He doesn’t, which is certainly the case, then we must assume one of two things. Either He is powerless to do anything about it, or He needs and is waiting on something from us to bring about change. Peter Wagner said in one of writings. “We must understand that our sovereign God has for His own reasons so designed this world that much of what is truly His will He makes contingent on the attitudes and actions of human beings. He allows humans to make decisions that can influence history…Human inaction will not nullify the atonement, but human inaction can make the atonement ineffective for lost people.

The TRUTH could very well intimidate us with the responsibility it implies, or even condemn us because of our lack of prayer. But another possibility exists as well. A responsibility can also be a privilege; a responsibility can be enjoyable. If also allowed, this revelation can elevate us in our hearts to new positions of dignity alongside our HEAVENLY FATHER and our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Jack Hayford said, “Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth.” So if we the CHURCH, we as FAMILIES would rise to the occasion and embrace the incredible invitation to be co-laborers with God, to be carriers of His awesome Holy Spirit and ambassadors for His great kingdom. LET US REPRESENT HIM WELL.

Remember, ONE WORD FROM GOD CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE