So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, (1 Kings 18:42)
While Ahab went to feast, Elijah went to pray. His prayer was one of intercession in behalf of penitent Israel. He knew that the rain would come, but it was his concern that the conditions for receiving the heavenly blessing be fully met, and that the results of the reformation might be permanent.
God has promised His people showers of heavenly blessing with the sending of the Holy Spirit at the time of the latter rain. Are the saints today praying as did Elijah, or are they feasting as did Ahab? When, and only when, God’s people are intensely in earnest, when they are willing to pray as did Elijah, and make their chief concern the fulfilling of the necessary conditions, then the latter rain will fall.