Most of you are experiencing the drought that has taken hold in Georgia. Many are calling for prayer. The Governor called for a prayer meeting at the State Capital. A pastor in Snellville has organized a multi-congregational prayer meeting. Most every prayer meeting I go to includes sincere, sometimes travailling, prayer for God to send rain.
It all seems good. Hey, more people are praying. But what is God up to? A few thoughts to consider:
- God is looking for a relationship where we are as desperate for Him as He is for us. When was the last time you prayed with relationship in mind? Could it be that God has shut up the heavens to make us desperate for something (i.e., rain), so He can then ask us if we are as desperate for Him?
- I did a word search on “pray rain”. One of the references is Elijah’s prayer (at God’s command) for the rain to stop, and then his prayer – 3.5 years later – for it to rain again. Can you imagine how desperate we might be in 3 years if the drought continues?
- The other reference is in 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 6, when Solomon is dedicating the temple. Here’s what he had to say:
“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.” 1 Kings 8:35-36
Calamity is a bad thing, right? Maybe not; with our heavenly Father, all chastening is in His love and for our good. The key is to understand His desires and expectations, and to respond in kind. The hallmark of all great revivals is the spirit of repentance. It is a gift of God. Perhaps He is using the drought to help us find and receive it; perhaps He has His heart set on the transformation of His chosen ones. Would you be willing to pray for the rain to go away?
It is time we stopped praying for what we think we need, and start praying to know Him enough to understand what He wants to give us.
Dying, with you, for His glory,
Rob