1 Kings 18:30-35
"30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water."
Elijah's calm, almost unhurried preparation is impressive as against the frenzied excite- ment of the prophets of Baal during the day. The purposeful air of the man who is sure of God is unmistakeable. Reverent expositors have thought to see a significance in his actions pre- ceding the great prayer in 36, as suggestive of the things that make prayer prevail - first of all, the repairing of the altar of the Lord that was broken down, indicating that the things of God must be restored to their rightful place in the life of His people before real prayer is possible; then the digging of the trench round the altar (32), setting apart as sacred and sacrosanct the things of the Spirit, allowing nothing from the outside world to contaminate them; and thirdly, the laying of the sacrifice on the altar, signifying the death that brings life in the experience of the believer, through absolute surrender to the will of God and willingness to be broken for Him. Whether this is fanciful interpretation or not it is certainly a true reflection of Elijah's spiritual position. Never was a man more dedicated to the will of God. The eye was single, and consequently the whole body was full of light. This is the great and challenging lesson Elijah's life teaches us. Effectiveness in the service of God depends, in the last analysis, neither on outstanding gifts or superlatively efficient technique, but upon a heart right with God and a life utterly yielded and given up to His will and purpose. It was this that made the lonely prophet mighty in word and deed.