What makes you think Elijah was prostrating himself before god or praying? It looks like he was just plain tuckered out from the tremendous contest with the prophets of Baal. His praying was done before Mt. Carmel since God told him of the rain and he told Ahab it was going to rain. He was there just to see the hand oof God perform what was promised. He was “sitting” on the promises of God.
James 5:17-18 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
1 Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
Well, perhaps I should have used the KJV:
1 Kings 18:42 : 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, ... KJV
Is this what one does when one is simply tired? I can see an argument here for prostration and I can see one for prayer (or both), but not for relaxation or relief from fatigue. :) Plus, when is the prayer of a righteous man ever "done"?