Title: Elisha Prayed
Memorize: And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2:9 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-15 (Nkjv)
[1] And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
[2] Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel.
[3] Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
[4] Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho.
[5] Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
[6] Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on.
[7] And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.
[8] Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
[9] And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
[10] So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
[11] Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
[12] And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.
[13] He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
[14] Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.
[15] Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.
Message:
Elisha was the prophet who received a double portion of the anointing of his master, and this was instrumental to his success in ministry.
The Bible recorded in 2 Kings 6:11-17 that a king sent an army to arrest Elisha, but he was not perplexed.
Even when his servant trembled at the sight of the army, Elisha remained calm. He simply prayed that the eyes of his servant would be opened to see the host of heaven surrounding them as a mighty wall of defence.
When the servant’s spiritual eyes were opened, he became assured of their safety.
Beloved, just like Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, you too can pray that your spiritual eyes become open to see the invisible.
When your spiritual eyes are always open, you will know who to be friends with and who to avoid. You will also become spiritually sensitive and be able to spot dangers easily and pray against them ahead of time.
My dear child, the world is a deadly place, and it is dangerous to walk through life blindly.
Prayer Point:
Father, please open my eyes to see the invisible.
HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER! SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER!
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Bible In One Year: Micah 5:1-7:20, Revelation 7:1-17
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye