OCTOBER 23

2 Kings 4:32-37

                    SON OF THE SHUNAMITE

Elijah (we read of him yesterday) had a disciple called Elisha, and we shall read of him today.

The Shunamite woman believed the prophet Elisha was a holy man of God. So she and her husband built a small room in their house for Elisha and provided food for him whenever he passed by their place. The kind couple had no children and God blessed them with a son. One day the child had a fall and hurt his head. Alas, he soon died. Elisha prayed, then lay himself upon the child. He put his mouth upon his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes, his hands upon his hands, and Elisha stretched upon the child. The flesh of the child became warm. Elisha got up, walked around, then stretched upon the child again. The child sneezed 7 times and opened his eyes. The dead child was alive again.

Dear reader, this story is almost the same as yesterday’s story, where the prophet Elijah brought the widow’s dead son back to life again. What was the first thing done by both the prophets? They prayed! Prayer is such an important part of the Christian’s life. Look at 1 Kings 17:20 (for Elijah’s prayer) and 2 Kings 4: 33 (for Elisha’s prayer).

The power comes from God alone. It is not that Elijah or Elisha were specially “holy”. God uses different people to serve Him in different ways. But remember God’s work must be done in God’s way, and God’s way is that we turn to Him in prayer!
How often do we pray? How much do we pray? How serious are we when we pray?

Thought: Do I pray how to do Your work, Your way, in Your time?
Prayer: Heavenly Father Jesus, guide me to talk to You about everything, every time, every where, Amen.