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and the bad guys, the prophets of Baal and the prophets of God. An altar would be built and sacrifices selected. “The God who an swers by fire-he is God” (1 Kings 18:24). Soon thereafter, we see evidence of Baal’s futility.The false prophets screamed out, danced around the altar, and even slashed themselves with swords, all to no avail. “Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacri fice. But there was no response, no one paid attention” (1 Kings 18:29). Three millenia later, the story is still the same. Countless masses worshiping at the altar of money, fame, and pleasure are coming up empty handed, unable to find answers for the questions life throws at them. Thankfully, once Elijah took center stage, the situation changed. Baal’s futility became overshadowed by God’s ability, clearly spelled out through the following: Preparation - The violent, wicked Baal debacle had taken its toll on the altar. Before God could do His work, it would have to be rebuilt. So Elijah took 12 stones, one for each tribe in Israel, and placed them there.The prophet then “dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood” (1 Kings 18:32, 33). He then arranged for four large jars of water to be poured on the offering and wood. Only then, was it time for step number two: Prayer - Saints from the past had a question for those entering into a time of supplication.Are you on “praying ground?” -meaning: Is your attitude, heart, and spirit in a condition to where you can go before the Lord? David asked, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceit fully” (Psalm 24:3,4).This doesn’t mean that we must be perfect, but rather pointed in that direction, surrendering and submitting to the One who is.

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