Elijah exercised the power of prayer. He stood on Mount Carmel and mocked the prophets of Baal, killing them right under the king’s nose.
Elijah had ever right to believe that a great spiritual awakening was about to take place. The fire of God had fallen and miracles had been witnessed by multitudes. It had been an unbelievable display of God’s power. What a shock he got. Jezebel was not at all impressed with miracles and power, and she said to Elijah, “By tomorrow at this time, I will kill you just like you killed my priests.”
The next time we see this great man of power and action, he is hiding in a cave on Mount Horeb almost 200 miles away. God called to him, “Elijah, what are you doing here hiding in this cave?”
Elijah answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14, NKJV). Elijah, a praying prophet, had been so busy for God, so busy demonstrating God’s power, so busy saving God’s kingdom, that he had become a one-way servant. He had been talking to God often, but he had done very little listening.
A prophet who was not afraid of a hurricane or an earthquake or heavenly fireworks was frightened by a still small voice. “So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave” (1 Kings 19:13). Elijah covered his head with his coat! Why? Had not this prophet talked to God many times? Was he not a great man of prayer? Hadn’t God used him mightily? Yes, but Elijah was a stranger to the still small voice.
When Elijah finally allowed that voice to speak — alone, quiet, away from all the power displays — he got the most specific directions ever in all his ministry.
How many busy children of God today have never had that voice come to them? They are busy witnessing, praying for a spiritual awakening and fasting intensely. They are so dedicated, yet they have heard everything but the voice of the Lord. The still, small voice of God will offer greater revelation and blessing than many mighty works.