From the Pen of Pastor Joe: Go Again, Pray Again

From the pen of Pastor Joe

Part 2 of Revite Invite

Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Two Sundays ago we were introduced to our two-year Revitalization journey set to begin in January 2027.

We looked at the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 and declared that if we want to see this church revitalize and double in every way, we must give God what we have.

And we were challenged to bring our handful of flour and our little drop of oil, trusting the Miracle Worker to multiply it.

But church, what happens after you give God your handful and the rain still hasn't fallen?

This week, we moved into 1 Kings chapter 18. The three-and-a-half-year drought is coming to a climax. Elijah has just defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, proving that Yahweh is the one true God.

The spiritual atmosphere has shifted, but geographically, the ground is still cracked. The sky is still brass. Humanly speaking, nothing looks different yet.

Yet, Elijah turns to King Ahab in verse 41 and makes a staggering declaration: "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain."

Elijah heard the abundance of rain in his spirit before a single drop hit his face. Revitalization requires an expectant ear that hears what God promised before your eyes can see it.

After telling Ahab to celebrate, Elijah doesn't go to a banquet; he goes to the top of Mount Carmel. Verse 42 says he "bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees."

This is not the posture of an arrogant celebrity prophet; it is the posture of absolute humility and agonizing intercession. It is actually the physical posture of a woman giving birth in the ancient world.

If we want to see our ministries double and our altars filled over the next two years, it will not happen through clever marketing or human strategy. It will be birthed on our knees.

Elijah turns to his servant and gives a command: "Go and look toward the sea."

The servant goes, looks out at the horizon where rain clouds usually form, and returns with a discouraging report: "There is nothing there."

How many of us would have stopped right there? We step out in faith, we invite a friend to church, we invest our finances into the vision, we look for immediate results, and when we see "nothing," we want to throw in the towel.

The test of your faith is how you respond when the initial report is 'nothing.'

Elijah doesn't panic, and he doesn't doubt God. Instead, he looks at his servant and says two words that define this entire sermon: "Go again."

And he didn't just say it once. The text says, "Seven times Elijah said, 'Go again.'"

Imagine the servant walking up that hill. Time after time—look, nothing. Pray, look, nothing. Pray, look, nothing.

Revitalization is not a one-time event; it is a repetitive rhythm of obedience.

The Revitalization plan is a two-year journey because breakthroughs require consistency. You have to be willing to serve again, tithe again, invite again, and pray again, even when the first six times yield no visible change.

On the seventh time, the servant returns with a shift in the narrative: "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea."

A tiny cloud. In a three-and-a-half-year drought, a hand-sized cloud looks insignificant. It looks like another handful of flour. But Elijah didn't despise the small cloud. He knew that what starts as a fist-sized cloud in the hands of God becomes a torrential downpour.

Faith does not wait for the storm to break before it starts running; faith moves at the first sign of God's hand.

Elijah tells Ahab to hitch up his chariot and ride before the rain stops him. Verse 45 says, "The sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a terrific rain started falling."

Then, in a supernatural display of power, the hand of the Lord comes upon Elijah, and he tucks his cloak into his belt and outruns Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel.

When you are faithful to pray again and go again, God will inject supernatural acceleration into your efforts. He can do more in a moment of downpour than we can do in years of striving.

Church, as we push forward into this two-year Revite Invite vision, we will stand on top of Mount Carmel. We will give God what we have, and then we will commit to the posture of Elijah. We cannot be a people who look once, see no immediate doubling, and give up.

Over the next 24-plus months, we are going to hit moments where the servant comes back and says, "The seats aren't full yet. The budget isn't doubled yet. There is nothing there."

In those moments, our response as a church family must be: Go again. Pray again.

We will continue to revamp our outreach, continue to invest in our ministries, and continue to knock on the doors of our community. We are looking for that hand-sized cloud, because we know the heavy rain of revitalization is on its way.

To put the principle of persistent faith into action this week, take these three steps:

Identify Your "Go Again" Area: What area of your spiritual life or ministry have you given up on because you didn't see immediate results? Is it praying for a prodigal child? Is it inviting a specific coworker? This week, resolve to go back to that hill and look again.

Establish a "7-Times" Prayer Rhythm: Don't just pray for our church's revitalization once. Set a daily reminder on your phone to pray specifically for the Revite Invite vision—for our leaders, our volunteers, and the souls who haven't walked through our doors yet. Pray with persistence.

Act on the Small Clouds: When you see even a tiny glimmer of breakthrough this week—a new visitor sitting in your row, a child excited about church, a moment of deep worship—celebrate it. Do not despise small beginnings; speak life over them and get ready for the downpour.

We thank You for the sound of abundance over this congregation. We pray for our community, that the spiritual drought would break. Keep our eyes locked on the horizon, watching expectantly for Your hand to move. We love You, we trust You, and we declare that the harvest is coming. In Jesus' mighty, unstoppable name, Amen.