Spiritual Help

1 Kings 18:36-37

Prayers of the Bible - Praying with Purpose

If you are like me, there is a good chance that at times you have prayed for a fortune of money. Especially when I was younger, I had a long list of things that I would do with abundant wealth. Of course, I planned to give some of it to others and for charitable causes, but the main point was to take care of myself.  Yes, because we are sinful human beings, our prayers are often tainted with improper motivation: selfishness, greed and pride.

When Elijah prayed, he prayed with a different motivation and for a different purpose. When he confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he wasn't there to bring glory to himself. He didn't pray, “Lord, if this doesn't work, I'm really going to look foolish and my life will be in danger!” Elijah had just one reason for asking God to consume with fire the sacrifice he had prepared: "...so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." (Read the full account: 1 Kings 18.)

When we are tempted to pray with selfish motives, then it’s important to look again to the cross of Jesus.  See the great selflessness of his love that moved him to sacrifice himself in our place to free us from the guilt of our sin.  He gives us more than a fortune of money; he gives us life with God!  In response our prayers give honor to God and reflect his saving will. Like Elijah, we too are moved to pray with a godly purpose—that people may know that the LORD is God.