Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You, Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood, and the stones and the dust; and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
—1 Kings 18:37-38

Reflection

When Elijah cried out to the God of Israel, the fire fell, the sacrifice was consumed, and the wood was burned up. The fire even caused all the water to evaporate, so there was nothing left but the smoke of the glory of God.

Can you imagine seeing such an incredible display of God’s power? This is not some nice story told simply to make a point. The showdown at Mount Carmel really happened. Elijah saw God prove Himself in a supernatural way.

Beloved, you too can pray as Elijah prayed: “My Father God, please prove Yourself.”

Are there people in your life who believe in a false god, or who do not believe in God at all? Are there people mocking Jesus and you? You can say, God, manifest Your glory and power. This is what Elijah was doing when he prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel, that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.” (1 Kings, 18:36)

I believe God wants to vindicate His children. You may be in a relationship where, in some way, the devil seems to have the upper hand. Perhaps you are facing difficult dynamics with parents, in-laws, employers, or neighbors. You began to witness for Jesus or stand up for biblical morality, and as a result, you have been marginalized. They began to twist your words or somehow made you feel small.

Whatever the reason, you began to pull back. You began to feel intimidated. Now you feel that you have the lesser hand in that relationship and that Jesus is not being magnified through your life as Lord.

Call upon Jesus and ask Him to prove that He is God in that relationship. Ask Jesus to let His fire and glory fall. Whether the issue is between you and a brother or sister, your mom or dad, a neighbor, or a coworker, get on your knees and do what Elijah did.

Tell Him that you love Him. Tell Him that it seems the devil is making fun of His Word, His truth, and His salvation. Ask the Father to send His fire and prove that He is God.

That is what Elijah prayed. When he did, God’s manifest presence fell, and God separated the true from the false. He set apart Elijah as His prophet, and He put to shame the prophets of Baal. I believe God wants to do that for His people still today. I believe He wants to do that for you.

Application

• Bring the relationship in which you feel intimidated before Jesus, and ask Him to manifest His glory and power.
• Refuse to pull back in fear. Pray that Jesus will be magnified as Lord through your life.

Prayer

Father God, I love You, and I ask You to prove that You are God in the relationships where Your Word and truth are being dishonored. Jesus, let Your fire and glory fall, and manifest Your presence and power. Forgive me for pulling back when I have felt intimidated, marginalized, or made small. Separate the true from the false, and cause Jesus to be magnified through my life as Lord. Vindicate Your name, establish Your truth, and let it be known that You alone are God. Amen.