THE DAY THAT THE RAIN CAME DOWN

Have you seen the news reports? Rain, drought, hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes—they are all part of the world in which we live and they have all occurred in recent days!

We sometimes think these weather events are signs from God or punishment from him. God speaks to us in many ways. He doesn’t have to flood the place to make himself heard. These natural occurrences are our opportunity to praise him for the good that can come at these times: the kindnesses people share and the heroism that is displayed. None of us can speak for God or pretend that he seeks counsel with us to determine how he should treat his children. If you want to see God’s hand in recent events, look for the neighbor who pulled another to safety, the churches that send cleaning supplies and reconstruction help to devastated areas, and the family who made room for others, out of the elements. Watch, there will be people who will take their vacation time to help rebuild homes and plant trees. That is God’s hand at work. And, it is God who gives hope and the promise of a new tomorrow in spite of all that happens. Let us pray:

“Holy Father, creator of the wind, rain and fire, holy is your name and the name of your son Jesus. We pray for your kingdom to come, that your peace may reign. Today, Father, we pray that we might hear your sweet voice and see evidence of your touch as we watch the earthly events unfold. For today, we pray that your people will once again trust one another in this country you have given us, and not let the force of earth-rattling fear control us. Let not the world tell us who we are with the wind of their rhetoric, but let us be defined as the people of God we have always been. Let us not be so greedy, like a wave that eats the sand to spite the shore, that we cannot rebuild our economy, in praise of you. Let us be able, once again, to earn all we can and give all we can with the generosity that has always been a hallmark of your children. Forgive us when we have been afraid and have forgotten to turn to you when the wind howls and the rain comes. You can baptize us in your clean fresh water and let us live hopefully again. In the name of Jesus, your son and our savior, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.