Fire was a common phenomenon in the Scriptures, but they are of different kinds and uses. Firstly, fire was an instrument of divine judgment. At some point when the murmuring of the children came to a head, God sent fire to destroy them. In their desperation they cried to Moses. In turn, Moses prayed to the Lord; and that was the magic that brought the destructive fire to an end. We are introduced to another form of fire in Solomon’s temple. After a 7-year building program, Solomon completed the building of the temple, giving attention to all the details of the plan. At the dedication of the temple, the fire came down. “When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” II Chronicles 7:1 NKJV. The fire this time around symbolised something different; it was not judgment but approval.

Whereas prayer quenched fire in some instance, in other instances prayer actually brought down the fire of the Lord. Spiritual fire service is regulated by prayer.

We can also refer to the fire that fell on Elijah’s sacrifice. He specifically asked the Lord to demonstrate that all he had done from proclamation of the famine to that time was at His instance. When he was done, fire came down to consume the sacrifice in a unique way – the wood, stones, and water were not spared. In all these cases, the ministry of prayer was brought to the fore. It is amazing to see how prayer works. Whereas prayer quenched fire in some instance, in other instances prayer actually brought down the fire of the Lord. Spiritual fire service is regulated by prayer.