EFFECTIVE PROCLAMATIONS:

"…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available" [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16b).

1 Kings 17 tells us the story of how Elijah went out to Ahab the king one day and said, "…As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word" (1 Kings 17:1). This verse of scripture reveals something striking about the man Elijah; his audacity of faith. But then, until you study this particular account in context you may not get the true picture or appreciate the import of what Elijah actually did.

1 Kings 17:1 doesn’t tell us Elijah prayed or consulted with God before he went ahead to give King Ahab the message about the drought. Rather, the impression we get is that he just proclaimed there would be no rain and stormed out of Ahab’s palace. Now, that would mean the man just went, spoke a Word of faith and that was it. No! It’s true he spoke a Word of faith, but James’ account shows us there was something behind the word of faith Elijah spoke.

James 5:17 says "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." Before Elijah came to Ahab to speak the Word of faith, he had already spoken to the Lord in his closet. Besides, it was beyond Elijah’s legal jurisdiction to stop or cause it to rain; that is solely God’s domain. Hence all Elijah could do was to pray an earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer, and make tremendous power available to effect the change he desired.

This is where some have missed it. They say, "I confessed; I made a faith proclamation, yet nothing happened." Be clear on this: faith always works! But before making a public proclamation of faith, there must first be a private dealing with the Lord. This is important especially when you are dealing with a case that is outside your personal jurisdiction. Jesus prayed like this many times, and the power of God was always available to Him throughout His earthly ministry.

The key is being filled with the Spirit at all times; this will make your faith proclamations effective: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…" (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Further Study: 

1 Corinthians 14:4 

Mark 11:23

Ephesians 5:18-20

Andy Agim

Christ Realities