Praying for Rain

[Greg Crawford]

I note in today’s Daily Telegraph the Anglican Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, is calling for next Sunday to be a national day of prayer for rain. He is quoted as saying, “Only God can make it rain”. This is in the context of an article expressing great sympathy for those who are drought-affected.   Of course, this raises the question about prayer for rain. Is this a valid prayer, or, as some have said, “when it rains, it rains”?   In the Old Testament, drought is often a sign of God’s rebuke. I can only assume, living in the place which has recently had the State’s highest rainfall, that God is giving his sign of approval to my ministry.   In the New Testament, Jesus says God sends rain on the good and bad alike. Now that’s going to bugger up my theology above, so I’ll just have to assume that these words were put on Jesus’ lips by some faith community living in a drought-affected area. And after all, since there are more books in the Old Testament than the New Testament, there are more scriptures in support of my theory.   Just a special request: Can all of you praying for rain please have it confined to the bright cycle of the Moon? That is, between first and last quarter. It’s one thing to have “showers of blessing”, but I would also feel “blessed” if I could have some clear, starry nights as well. So would those who want to do shearing during this time.   I’ll have to take my tongue out of my cheek, ‘cause it makes my face look even stranger. Is it valid to pray for rain? If God can create a universe, can’t God make it rain? You can’t say that God doesn’t interfere in nature. Crikey, virgin births, miracle cures, resurrections and the like!   Regards Greg