One of the most dramatic and exciting stories in the Scriptures is the account of the great contest between the 400 prophets of baal and Elijah, the lone prophet of Jehovah on Mt. Carmel. We read this in 1 Kings 18. For many hours the 400 prophets of baal called to their god, danced about, cut themselves and generally, made spectacles of themselves trying to evoke a response from their god. How they have been humiliated by Elijah. Their god, baal, is the “storm” or weather god. Many representations of him depict him with a thunderbolt in his hand. Certainly he can spare just one little flash of lightening to ignite their sacrifice and prove that he truly is a god. There is just one problem. He is NOT a god. He is the device and figment of human imagination embellished with graven images. He is a false god and would give no answer by fire or any other means.

Of course we know this and chuckle to ourselves at the foolishness of these and any who would believe in baal and behave so foolishly. I wonder, however, if we do not need to learn the lesson in this story. The lesson of the futility of praying to a false god. Certainly not! You reply. I attend worship regularly. I attend Bible class regularly. I certainly am no idolater. Perhaps all you say is true, but are you still praying to a false god by praying to a god of your own invention or imagination? I fear many are. Perhaps if one is wondering why God is not answering his prayers, he may need to ask the question, “Am I praying to the God of the Bible or a god of my own invention and imagination?”

If I asked you to close your Bible and tell me all that you know about God without your Bible, what could you tell me? Certainly we know some about God from nature and His creation (Psa. 1:1-3, Rom. 1:20). Do we, however, learn enough from creation to pray to our God as our Father and our Saviour? We do not. Do we know anything of His will so that we may pray accordingly? Again, no. Most of what we know of our gracious and loving Father in heaven, we know from Scripture.

Many hold false ideas of God in their hearts, ideas and imaginations that are not based upon scripture and contrary to Scripture. Consequently, when they pray, they are doing very close to what an idolater does, praying to a false god. Certainly God is just and can mete

out wrath and vengeance, but if I see God as always angry and never loving and gracious, I see Him not rightly. Conversely, If I see God only as loving and gracious and never willing to exact punishment, again, I see Him not rightly. Do I perceive God as a “santa clause” or one aloof and disinterested? If so, I see him not rightly.

To pray to my one true and living God, I must know Him accurately. I only know Him accurately from learning about Him through His Word. Know the true God. Pray to the true God.