The Octopus

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  Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, "Go up now, and look toward the sea." He went up, and looked, and said, "There is nothing." He said, "Go again" seven times. On the seventh time, he said, "Behold, a small cloud, like a man's hand, is rising out of the sea." He said, "Go up, tell Ahab, 'Get ready and go down, so that the rain doesn't stop you.' " In a little while, the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. 1 Kings 18:42'45 WEB.
  
  It hadn't rained for three and a half years when Elijah knelt to pray (James 5:17). He prayed and then sent his servant to check the horizon for clouds, but none were seen. So he prayed again, but nothing appeared. Elijah prayed a third time, but nothing seemed to happen. So he kept praying, and they kept checking. Elijah prayed seven times before a small cloud appeared in the sky, and soon the rain began to fall.
  
  Jesus prayed for a blind man twice (Mark 8:25). In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went back and prayed the same words three times (Matthew 26:44). Jesus told a parable to His disciples that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). The story was about an unjust judge and a widow who kept pleading with him until she wore him out. He finally gave her what she asked for. Then Jesus said, "Will God not bring justice for His chosen ones that cry out day and night?"
  
  I once read a testimony by Kenneth Hagin, who said he prayed for a blind woman seven times. Each time he prayed for her, she would fall to the ground, but she was still blind when she got up. Then, she came up for prayer for the eighth time. So he prayed for her again, then moved on to the next person. Suddenly, she started screaming, "I can see! I can see!"
  
  The woman was healed, but it took praying for her eight times. When Kenneth asked the Lord about it later, He showed him a vision of an octopus with eight tentacles wrapped tightly around her eyes. Each time Kenneth prayed, one tentacle would come off. He had to pray eight times to see the final result.
  
  Pray until it happens. Pray until you see it. Pray until it comes to pass. Pray and never give up. Just because you don't see it the first time doesn't mean that nothing happened in the spirit realm. So pray again. Things change when we pray, and the fervent prayers of the righteous have great power (James 5:16). Pray through the tentacles.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You help me understand Your word and teach me by Your Holy Spirit. Let me see things others miss. Please open my mind to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
  
  Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress
  
  
  

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