The lack of immediate rain demands that Eliyahu pray intensely for rain on behalf of the nation thus reversing his original role as the one who decreed the drought. He no longer assumes the one-sided role as God's emissary to Israel; he changes his position and becomes Israel’s emissary before God. Eliyahu’s prayer for rain parallels his prayer for the son of the widow.

Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion