Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly. (James 5:17)

Lillie prayed with eloquence. As I listened to her, I concluded that I would never be able to pray like her. Words slid smoothly off her tongue, whereas my prayers sounded like a sputtering car grasping for life. I was sure God heard her prayers more than He heard mine. When I shared my thoughts with Lillie, she simply stated, “Elijah was a man just like us.”

“What do you mean, Lillie?” I asked.

“Elijah prayed, and miracles occurred. He prayed for fire to come down from heaven, and it came down. Another time he prayed that it would not rain, and for over three years not one drop fell to the earth. Then, when he prayed for the rains to return, they did. We often place Elijah on a pedestal of greatness. We think, ‘His prayers were answered because he was so spiritual and holy and wonderful. There is no way that we live as close to God as He did.’

“Remember, however, that Elijah was just like us. Elijah probably experienced times of frustration. I am sure he felt lonely at times. He even became depressed and wished he were dead. Yet when he prayed, God heard him.

“Jim, remember that the power in prayer is not found in the eloquence of the one who prays, but in the power of God who answers.”

Trust in the power of God, not in the eloquence of your prayers.

Jim “Umf” Lo is the coauthor of Unholiness: Overcoming the Forces That Attack Your Soul.

© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.