12 March 2021 - The Impact of Prayer

Ahab was one of Israel’s most evil kings. In Kings we read that Elijah had to give the following message to Ahab.

1 Kings 21:22 -25 (NLT) I am going to destroy your enemies for you have made me very angry and have led Israel into sin.’ 23 “And regarding Jezebel, the Lord says, ‘Dogs will eat Jezebel’s body at the plot of land in Jezreel. 24 “The members of Ahab’s family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures.” 25 (No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel.

When Ahab received this message, he humbled himself and fasted.

1 Kings 21:27-29 (NLT) “But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning. 28 Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.”

If God could do this for a wicked king just think what God can do for you when you pray and fast.

In Jonah we read of a similar situation. God called Jonah to give this message to Nineveh. Jonah 3:4 (NLT) “On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”

When the King of Nineveh heard this, the king humbled himself, prayed and fasted.

Jonah 3:6-8 (NLT) “When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. 7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.

God changed his mind when He saw the humbleness of the King and the people of Nineveh.

Jonah 3:10 (NLT) “When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.”

A sinful king hears the word of God, he repents and fasts, and God changes His mind. If God can do it for a sinful king, what will God do for you, a child of God, who humbles themselves in praying and fasting.