Elijah Part 2: Used by God | Lessons on Prayer & Hardship

Elijah Part 2: Used by God | Lessons on Prayer & Hardship

Imagine leaving everything behind and moving to a place you know nothing about, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Then, something terrible happens, and all eyes turn to you. “It must be the new guy’s fault.” This is exactly what happened to Elijah in 1 Kings 17:17-24, and I’ve found myself in a similar situation during my time in Wisconsin.

I left everything I knew and moved to a place where I knew no one. One day, I stood outside my ex-girlfriend’s house as it burned to the ground. Her mother asked, “Where was Keith when the fire started?” It was a heartbreaking moment, but thankfully, I had proof of where I was. Even so, my heart broke for that family. I held my ex in my arms and prayed for her and her family, asking God to bring comfort and healing.

Why Does God Allow Hard Situations?
Why does God place us in these challenging situations? The answer lies in His greater purpose. God uses the brokenness of this world to remind us that everything on Earth is fleeting—our homes, careers, relationships, and possessions will all pass away. Only God and His glory will remain forever.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

This promise gives us hope, but it also challenges us to respond. What should we do in times of trouble?

The Art of Crying Out to God

One of the most profound lessons Elijah teaches us is the power of crying out to God. Many Christians today pray casually, expecting little and often giving up when they don’t see immediate results. But Elijah’s story shows us a deeper, more persistent way to pray.

When the widow’s son died, she blamed Elijah, assuming he had brought misfortune upon her family. Yet Elijah didn’t retreat or offer empty words of comfort. Instead, he cried out to God with passion and persistence. 1 Kings 17:21 says, “Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried out to the LORD.”

Elijah didn’t stop after one prayer. He prayed three times, fully surrendering to God and pleading for the child’s life. This act of persistent faith resulted in a miracle—the boy was brought back to life.

What Can We Learn from Elijah?

  1. Consistency in Prayer:
    More often than not, when I pray once, I see no immediate results. But when I persist—praying daily, crying out to God, and refusing to give up—I’ve witnessed Him move in incredible ways. For example, when I first moved to Wisconsin, I quit my management job and prayed for a new opportunity. After weeks of praying, I still hadn’t started a new job. But I kept praying. One day, while driving for Uber, the Vice President of a healthcare company got in my car. We talked about life, and by the end of the ride, he offered me a job. It wasn’t luck—it was God answering persistent prayer.
  3. God’s Glory in Hardships:
    The widow had already experienced God’s provision through Elijah when her flour and oil never ran out. Yet it wasn’t until her son was brought back to life that she truly recognized Elijah as a man of God. Sometimes, God uses our darkest moments to reveal His love and power.
  5. God’s Purpose in Pain:
    When we face trials, it’s easy to feel abandoned. But those moments are often when God is closest, using people like “Elijah” to remind us of His presence. Just as Elijah showed the widow that God cared for her, our hardships can draw us closer to God and reveal His glory to others.

Encountering Jesus

Many Christians today have encountered a church, a denomination, or a set of moral teachings—but not Jesus Himself. Elijah encountered God in a personal and powerful way, and as Christians, we are called to do the same.

Have you truly encountered Jesus? Have you cried out to Him like Elijah did? Revival starts when we stop treating prayer as a routine and start seeing it as a lifeline.

Final Thoughts

Elijah’s story reminds us that God’s plans are bigger than our understanding. He allows trials to refine us, draw us closer to Him, and reveal His glory to the world. Whether it’s through persistent prayer, acts of faith, or moments of brokenness, God is always at work, shaping us for His purpose.

So, the next time you face hardship, don’t give up. Cry out to God. Pray persistently. And trust that He is working all things for His glory and your good.