Praying for God’s Rain
 

By Pete Grasso

 

During this summer, Northern Virginia was hit with a drought that seemed to last from early June to late August. My lawn, which is normally a brilliant green, was brown and visually appeared to be dead throughout the summer’s months. To my frustration, the only vegetation growing were the weeds that seemed to have no problem taking over my property. It really does figure that when there is a drought, weeds grow in strength while all else appears lifeless around us.

 

As I was reflecting on the status of my lawn with a dear friend of mine, something came to us both; clearly God must have put this on both of our hearts at the same time. The grass, was representing the status of the Jesus’ church within the US today, while the weeds represented the “doers of iniquity” (the false teachers, the sexual deviant, and the oppressors of the church, and all others who orchestrate iniquity within this nation.)

 

My friend and I were grieved in our hearts and in Spirit as we considered how this nation had turned its back on God, while Christ’s church has sat idle and non-responsive, complaining within their pews and homes.

 

Shortly after, our area received a week of soft but steady rain and with that rain, came a change of status within my lawn. What I thought was dead, was indeed alive and after months of drought, it only took a week for the Lord to restore the green lush status of my lawn. The weeds were still there, but the lawn had reclaimed its dominance.

 

Scripture that I had hidden in my heart for a day of this sort came to the forefront of my mind and it all came together for me in the following:

 

Many sow seeds of truth and righteousness without asking for [God] to provide for the rain. Sowing seeds alone during a drought will result in the wind carrying the seed away and will result in the birds eating what was cast to the ground, while the insects consume what is remaining. It is the blessing of rain that only God can provide, which will allow for the seed to germinate, take root, grow, and provide fruit. 

 

When the church sits idle while iniquity reigns, a drought is the result. When the church allows the wicked to creep in with false doctrines, then the Spirit within that church dries up and the followers’ hearts are darkened by compromise. When we cast seeds of truth and hope to the wicked, without God’s blessings – it is consumed by the birds of the air. It is here that sin and iniquity flourishes; it is here that those who are part of the body of Christ are overwhelmed and brought to despair – because they did not ask for God’s blessing.

Praying for God’s Rain

 

Dear Father in Heaven,

 

You have said in your word,

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 
 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face [my blessing] and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land [through the restoring rains]  – [Emphasis mine]

 

Please forgive us for trying to pave a path for the world to follow You on our own abilities and strength. How futile it is to plant seeds of Your truth during a drought. When the ground is scorched and hard, your precious seed is captured by the winds or becomes food for the birds of the air. Please forgive us, your children who are in this nation for our iniquity -- for we, your people, have allowed the weeds of false teaching, compromise, and iniquity to infiltrate the church. Please forgive us for sitting idly by as wicked leaders within our government gain in strength and power and as the Spiritual drought increases throughout this nation.

 

Father in heaven, I beg you to bless your people with the soothing rain of restoration and revival by the power of your blessed word. Please restore our souls with your love and with a commitment to make a difference for the Kingdom of God – without compromise. Send forth your rain to soften the ground and to invigorate the faithful unto action and societal dominance so that we will become a “Nation under God” once again.  Lastly, I ask that you would bless the seed we plant for your Kingdom with your rain. I pray that the seeds we plant will germinate into the heart of the recipients unto conviction, repentance, reconciliation, salvation, and eternal fellowship with your son Jesus Christ.

 

This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.