It was noon and the church parking lot was mostly full. However, it was today, Thursday, and not Sunday. Had it been Sunday I would have known what was happening. Since it was Thursday, I had to ask and when I did, I discovered the church was having a meeting to pray for rain. If I had known I would have slipped in to add my prayers to theirs instead of continuing on my way.
While some might smile at the naivete of those simple country folks, they model a serious attitude toward drought and prayer. Immediately, our memory of scripture takes us to weather related prayers. Elijah is, perhaps, the first rainmaker who comes to mind. While the written story does not tell us, Noah was likely praying for rain as he was building that boat with the ridicule of neighbors raining down upon him. Of course, Jonah saw more than his share of stormy rain and water. And, then there is Jesus. He walked on the water with storm raging around Him and spoke clear weather into existence.
Today was not the first time a group of those who belonged to God gathered to pray for rain. Neither will it be the last. Tonight as I hear approaching thunder and see flashes of lightning in the distance, I hear myself praying that God will bring the rain closer and soak the dry earth that is all around me.
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2 comments:
Seems like a great faith of that congregation, Bill! But did any of them carry their umbrellas with them? :)
Good to catch up with you!
Joe
I love your blog! When I read it, I did smile, not at the naivete of those people, but at their trust that God would be faithful to their prayers. As I read further, I decided that even though their prayer meeting was over, I would still add my simple prayer to those already said, because I believe and trust our God will hear us. Late last night, as a brief, but heavy storm came through, I couldn't help but think of all those prayers and I was reminded again that when God's people pray, He will answer. I couldn't help but smile at His faithfulness to us when we trust in Him. I don't know if your area got rain, I hope you did, but it was good to be reminded that God is always listening to us when we pray. Thank-you...
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