Praying for Rain

I have had the challenging moment of both praying FOR and AGAINST the RAIN.

Living in Washington State, I have seen more than my fair share of rain. We are deluged each year as the weather patterns that God directs, bring us abundant (and often MORE than abundant) rain. The beautiful benefit of the rain is that our state is known as the "Evergreen State" because the rain truly makes the land flourish into a lush green landscape. However, this past year, the abundance of rain turned its benefit into an epic burden. Our area experienced record floods that devastated homes and entire communities. Many people from the church where I am pastor, lost their homes to mud and water. It was heartbreaking to see the loss, and I found myself joining with a chorus of others for God to stop the rain!

On the other end of the spectrum, I have also prayed with my brothers and sisters in Africa for God to bring rain, so a famine could be broken. I have joined them as they poured out their petitions before God, begging for rain so that their crops would grow, so their animals could drink, and for their families to survive. I was humbled by their passion for God to supply rain.

Amazingly, in both cases, God answered. In Washington, the rain stopped. In Africa, the rains came. Praise God.

Maybe you are in a season of spiritual drought and you need God to send the rain of mercy to parch your spiritual thirst. Maybe you are being flooded by challenges and worry and you need God to hold back the rain. Whatever you are facing today, the miracle-working God who CONTROLS the rain, is both with you and for you.

As you look to the Heavens today, never forget that God is in control and that nothing you are facing is too big for Him!

The prophet Joel says:

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.” (Joel 2:23, NIV)

If you are at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum today and are feeling flooded by the rain of sorrow, grief, and loss- there is miraculous hope!

King David wrote:

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:10, NIV)

The answer to every prayer for rain to bring or to stop begins and ends with Jesus! Today, look to the skies and know that your miraculous God is directing the rain exactly where He wants it to be. In the soaking rain of His grace or the desert season where we cry out and we are heard, GIVE THANKS!

You are a miracle!

Grant Fishbook