“以利亚与我们是一样性情的人，他恳切祷告，求不要下雨，雨就三年零六个月不下在地上。他又祷告，天就降下雨来，地也生出土产”（雅5:17, 18）。{FH.18.1}
以利亚的经验给我们带来许多重要的教训。他在迦密山上求雨之时，信心受到了考验，但他坚定地向上帝提出他的要求。他六次恳求，仍没有得到应允的迹象，但他仍以坚强的信心在施恩宝座前恳求。他若在第六次祈祷时灰心，他的祈祷就得不到上帝的应允。……我们上帝的耳朵并非闭塞听不见我们的祈求。如果我们愿意验证祂的话，祂就必尊重我们的信心。祂希望我们将自己一切的利益与祂的利益融合在一起，这样，祂就能放心地赐福我们了；因为福气虽已赐给我们，我们仍不会将荣耀归于自己，而要将一切赞美都归给上帝。{FH.18.2}
上帝不一定在我们第一次向祂祈求时就答应我们，因为如果这样，我们就可能会认为自己理应得到祂所赐的一切福气和宠爱。我们就不会省察己心，看看自己是否怀有什么罪恶，反会变得粗心大意，认识不到我们对祂的依赖，也不觉得需要祂的帮助。{FH.18.3}
以利亚自卑到了不将荣耀归于自己的地步。这就是主垂听祷告的条件；因为那时我们会把赞美归于祂。……{FH.18.4}
我们要相信上帝的圣言，无论有没有什么感觉上的表现。我以前常求上帝使我有感情的迸发，但我现在不求这个了。……我象以利亚一样，再三将我的请求呈达施恩的宝座；当主见我认识到了自己的无能和软弱时，就赐下了福气。……{FH.18.5}
我已将自己灵魂交与上帝，就是那信实的造化之主。我也知道祂必保守我所交付祂的，直到那日。……{FH.18.6}
让我们口唱心和地赞美祂吧。若有人丧失了信心，但愿他们今天就寻求上帝。主已应许，我们若全心寻求祂，就必寻见。——《评论与通讯》，1891年6月9日。{FH.18.7}
Prayer Lessons From Elijah, January 6
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.?James 5:17, 18.?{FH 18.1}[1]
Important lessons are presented to us in the experience of Elijah. When upon Mount Carmel he offered the prayer for rain, his faith was tested, but he persevered in making known his request unto God. Six times he prayed earnestly, and yet there was no sign that his petition was granted, but with strong faith he urged his plea to the throne of grace. Had he given up in discouragement at the sixth time, his prayer would not have been answered.... We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we prove His word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us; for we shall not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to God.?{FH 18.2}[2]
God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon Him; for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by us, any sin indulged, we would become careless, and fail to realize our dependence upon Him, and our need of His help.?{FH 18.3}[3] Elijah humbled himself until he was in a condition where he would not take the glory to himself. This is the condition upon which the Lord hears prayer; for then we shall give the praise to Him....?{FH 18.4}[4]
We are to believe the Word of God whether we have any manifestation of feeling or not. I used to ask God for a flight of feeling, but I do not do this now.... Like Elijah, again and again I press my petition to the throne of grace; and when the Lord sees that I realize my inefficiency and weakness, the blessing comes....?{FH 18.5}[5]
I have committed the keeping of my soul unto God as unto a faithful Creator, and I know that He will keep that which I have committed to Him until that day....?{FH 18.6}[6]
Let us praise Him with heart and soul and voice. If any have lost faith, let them seek God today. The Lord has promised that if we seek Him with the whole heart, He will be found of us.—The Review and Herald, June 9, 1891.?{FH 18.7}[7]
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