READ 1 Kings 19
Elijah flees from Jezebel, and the Lord ministers to him after saving him.

INSIGHT
On the heels of the stupendous victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah falls into despair. He fears for his own life in the face of Jezebel’s threat and flees to a lonely mountain for safety—to lick his wounds and mourn his fate. How is it possible that this great prophet of God would call down fire from heaven one day and then flee for his life the next? We all have feet of clay. Notice though that God does not berate him. Rather, He ministers to him quietly, restoring his spirit and strength. Then God calls Elijah back into His service again. God cares when we are hurt and discouraged and gently calls us to Himself for new strength.

PRAYER
Offer to the Lord your praise for His lovingkindness on your behalf:
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips will glorify you
because your faithful love is better than life.  
So I will bless you as long as I live;
at your name, I will lift up my hands
(Psalm 63:3-4).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Achan replied to Joshua, It is true.
I have sinned against the Lord,
the God of Israel (Joshua 7:20).

Make your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me your paths.  
Guide me in your truth and teach me,  
for you are the God of my salvation;  
I wait for you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

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

• Greater passion for moral excellence
• The ministry of Christian educational institutions
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ — to him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27).