Devotionals by Dr. Michael Youssef

November 15, 2026

Principles of Powerful Prayer

By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.

James 5:17 tells us, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are,” yet he played a role in some of the most amazing demonstrations of God’s power in Biblical history (see James 5:16-18; 1 Kings 17:17-24, 18:16-46).

What made Elijah so effective in dealing with unbelievers, enemies, and political leaders? What kind of man can God use as He did Elijah? Six principles in his prayer life allowed Elijah to experience tremendous personal power and intimacy with God. Today, we will look at three.

First, Elijah’s response to the Phoenician widow can serve as a study in setting self aside and letting God take over. When the widow verbally assaults him, Elijah does not defend himself or give her a Bible lesson. He simply takes her son in his arms and tries to help her. He knows she is speaking from the pain of her son’s death and the guilt she bears from her pagan beliefs. He does not need to point out her wrong thinking; he allows God to work.

Second, Elijah questioned God only in the privacy of his prayer closet. Elijah walked with God in intimacy. He knew God welcomed him to talk through his disappointments such as the young man’s death; however, Elijah saved his questioning until he was alone with God. He did not further weaken the developing faith of the already struggling widow with his own questions.

Third, Elijah persisted in fervent prayer. Elijah prayed over the son three times. Elijah had no guideline for dealing with this situation, so he just kept pressing in with prayer. Elijah’s persistence reveals a faith that refuses to quit. He kept praying because he knew that his hope was not in his own ability but in God’s power. When we pray this way, we are not trying to persuade a reluctant God. We are learning to trust a faithful God. And sometimes, the greatest answer to prayer begins with our willingness to keep seeking Him when we cannot yet see the answer.

Elijah brought his impossible situation back to the one who alone could change it. Prayer is not informing God of something He does not know; it is declaring our dependence upon the God who knows all things and holds all things in His hands.

Prayer: God, thank You for the example of Elijah. Help me to apply these prayer principles to my daily prayer life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon How God Works, God’s Blessing and Life’s Blasting: LISTEN NOW

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