READ 1 Kings 18
The prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.

INSIGHT
The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is one of the most exciting
chapters in the Bible, with fire raining down from heaven—consuming meat, water, and
stone! Then after Baal worship is defeated, it rains, signifying an end to that judgment.
Elijah prays, “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again” (v. 37). God does
not punish His children for sin but rather chastens them in the hope that they will repent
and return to Him.

PRAYER
Let us praise the Lord in the words of this psalm:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.  
I will boast in the Lord;  
The humble will hear and be glad.  
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;  
Let us exalt his name together.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.  
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:1-3, 8).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
David’s conscience troubled him  
After he had taken a census of the troops.
He said to the Lord,
“I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done.
Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish,  
Please take away your servant’s guilt.”
(2 Samuel 24:10).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Don’t you know that your body is a temple  
Of the Holy Spirit who is in you,  
Whom you have from God?
You are not your own,
For you were bought at a price.
So glorify God with your body
 (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• The leading of the Lord in your life
• Opportunities for personal evangelism
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord protects you;
The Lord is a shelter right by your side.  
The sun will not strike you by day
Or the moon by night.  
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.  
The Lord will protect your coming and going
Both now and forever (Psalm 121:5-8).