A Sound of Abundance of Rain

1 Kings 18:41  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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These words were spoken by Elijah the prophet, to Ahab King of Israel (1 Kings 18:4141And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. (1 Kings 18:41)). No refreshing shower had fallen during a period of three years and six months, and not a cloud was rising from the horizon when this man of faith and prayer gave utterance to this hopeful sentiment.
Some of us can look back twenty years, and thirty years or even fifty years ago. What seasons of blessing in the gospel! What times of conversion amid all classes of society! The Spirit of God was moving in mighty power through the land. But of late it has not been so. A widespread apathy and indifference has pervaded the borders of Christendom. There has been an abundance of work – hard work, too; there has been much preaching – earnest preaching, faithful preaching; but the results have not been such as to encourage with the thought that many were being led to the Lord. This has been the universal and widely expressed feeling of all who have labored in the gospel field.
Brethren, has there been that spirit of prayer which at one time prevailed?
“Elijah 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. And he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James 5:17, 1817Elias 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. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:17‑18).
We write these few lines to stir up every Christian who may be a reader of our magazine to earnest, believing, and continued prayer – definite prayer, too, for definite results.
We believe the coming of the Lord is drawing nigh, and we trust that a great gathering of souls will take place e’er He comes.
Why are we writing? That both writer and reader may have the joy, the privilege, and the honor of having a little share in this God-honoring, Christ-exalting, glorious work of bringing others to the Saviour.
We would affectionately and earnestly suggest meetings for special prayer in every locality where this little magazine circulates, that God will come in and work mightily for the honor of His great Name, for the glory of Christ, for the blessing of His people, and for the salvation of souls.