During his hazardous career, Evel Knievel attempted to jump his motorcycle over 13 double-decker buses, a tank of sharks, 52 wrecked cars, and a box of rattlesnakes. He miscalculated often and spent beaucoup time in the hospital. Before each stunt, however, he prayed, “God, take care of me. Here I come . . .”

I wonder if Elijah whispered something similar before his showdown with Baal. He pretty much destroyed the idea that prayer is a dull, semi-wimpy activity. But, how many of us still pray out of obligation because we’ve filed prayer under “B” for boring?

Prayer can involve adventure! At the beginning of his famous confrontation, Elijah noted, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets” (1 Kings 18:22). Then oddly, he ratcheted up the risk by taunting Baal’s posse and soaking with water the altar God was supposed to ignite.

Another aspect of Elijah’s high-risk prayer was that absolutely everything depended on God’s answer. Elijah said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant” (v.36). God’s reputation was on the line, as well as Israel’s spiritual fate. What’s more, Elijah knew he was a goner if God remained silent.

But Elijah knew that God would answer. His prayer was adventurous because he left the details up to God. He said, “Answer me so that these people will know that you, O Lord, are God” (v.37). Then God immediately tossed a fireball down onto the altar.

This shows what can happen when we engage in high-risk prayer. God may have called you to pursue something that will drop you to your knees in prayer. Lift your request to Him and watch for His answer.