March 8

Turning Passion Into Prayer

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. — Jas 5:17 BSB

When we read that Elijah was a man subject to the same passions as we are, we might assume that his intense emotions were the driving force behind his life. But the Bible shows us that the extraordinary results of Elijah’s life weren’t produced by passion alone, but by prayer. Elijah, though capable of great emotion like us, didn’t rely on human energy to fulfill his purpose. Instead, he earnestly prayed. His passion was transformed into prayer.

Elijah’s character had many strong elements: his patriotism led him to witness the suffering of his people in hopes they would return to God; his tenderness showed when he carried the lifeless body of a child; his righteousness was displayed when he confronted false prophets; his love for nature was evident when he sought refuge in the wilderness, and his devotion to God’s glory came through in his zealous cry, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts.” Yet, if Elijah had depended solely on these emotions, his life’s work would have vanished like a mirage in the desert.

There’s a powerful influence in deep emotion. Just as a small pith-ball can move a bar of iron with repeated taps, one soul can stir others. The brain creates waves of thought, and the heart produces waves of feeling. But if we want lasting results, we must rely on God, not on our own emotional energy. Let us pray more, seeking to be filled with a passionate love for Jesus and for the world. Let that love be expressed in fervent, heartfelt prayer—whether through silent intercession or loud cries and tears. In a universe alive with energy, let’s not settle for lukewarmness! (Revelation 3:15-16).

Prayer

O Christ, who baptizes with fire, ignite our hearts with the flame of Your love so that we are neither lukewarm nor cold. May we not depend on our emotions, which may fail, but trust in the power of prayer and Your intercession for us. Amen.