We're Getting What We Asked For!

As I write this post I can hear the roar of thunder and the sound of rain falling rather heavily. As a matter of fact, it has been raining rather heavily for about the last 6 days, and this historical rain making system is supposed to loosen its grip and finally begin moving out of the area tomorrow. The last time I saw this much rain, this consistently was in a hurricane. However, from what I am hearing on the local news tonight, this thing is a big-time history maker in the southeast. People will be talking about the great rains of 2009 for many years to come.

Today, in contrast to the rain, I was thinking about how incredibly dry it was in this area for about 3 and a half years. I can remember several summers in a row in which rain was almost nonexistent. I can remember getting together consistently with other believers and praying for rain. We would stand in agreement that God would break the power of the terrible drought over our region. Not only has our group prayed for rain, but groups all over the southeast have persistently and fervently prayed for rain over the past few years. I firmly believe what we are experiencing now is the result of fervent, concentrated prayer launched into the heavens over a period of time. Prayer is like that you know. When we pray for something specific, we don't always see instant results. But when we pray for something really significant it could take some time (God's time) to see the results. And if we persist in our prayers, what we pray for will eventually happen - if we don't give up! I know all this natural rain we've been getting can be too much of a good thing in too short of a time. But I know it is the result of God's people praying through a desperate situation.

As we experience the deluge of rain today, I feel the urge to tell you to stay persistent in your prayers for God's outpouring on His church. Truthfully, sometimes it seems as nothing is happening. I know you agree. However, if we remain faithful to bombard the heavens with prayer for the Holy Spirit's outpouring...it will come! He will come. Just as this history-making, rain-making system has overwhelmed us, He will overwhelm us. If you and I remain faithful to pray for the reviving of His church, she will be revived. We will be overwhelmed by the rain of the Holy Spirit. And we cannot get enough of the Holy Spirit's rain!

So...as you experience this mighty outpouring of natural rain today, be encouraged to pray even more. And in your spirit begin now to listen for the outpouring of His holy rain. It will come. Hang in there!