James 5:18

‘And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.’

And the result of his trials and his faith was that he prayed again, and the heavens produced rain (see 1 Kings 18:36-37; 1 Kings 18:41), and the earth became fruitful. He asked and it was given to him (see James 1:5 and contrast James 4:3), and the result was blessing from Heaven. James no doubt intended his readers to make the connection.

We should, however, note that Elijah’s prayer was answered because the will and purpose of God was his consuming passion. He did not pray for himself or for his own benefit. He prayed in order that God’s work might go forward. Nothing else mattered to him. That is the kind of prayer that is always effective.