He called for three barrels of water to be poured upon the sacrifice and the wood. This was done three more times, until the water had soaked the sacrifice and the wood, and filled the trench. Then it was time for the evening sacrifice, time for him to pray. This prayer can be prayed in fifteen to twenty seconds, but it was effective, because of his obedience to the Lord. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
Fire is symbolic of power.
The Holy Ghost fire only comes to prepared hearts. Elijah repaired the broken altar. This is a type of sincere repentance. He did not just throw it on the altar, he put it in order. Twelve barrels of water completely soaked the wood and the sacrifice, and filled the trench.