Today is the feast of the Prophet Elijah.

An angel in the flesh
and the cornerstone of the prophets,
the second forerunner of the coming of Christ,
Glorious Elijah sent grace
from on high to Elisha,
to dispel diseases and to cleanse lepers.
Therefore, he pours forth healings
on those who honor him.

His story is contained in the biblical books of 1 Kings 17-22 and 2 Kings 1-2. Be sure to read the Scripture readings for today at the link above.

~*~*~

The Prayers of a Righteous Man 

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. … The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:10-11, 16-18)