Praying for Rain (Psalm 118:8)

Southern California is a semi-arid to desert climate. So, it is no surprise that water conservation and water resources are an important topic for both government and businesses. The recent years of drought have severely depleted the state reservoirs and have also affected neighboring states. Thus, the recent rains are a welcome relief to the parched land.

And yet, with the much needed rain and partial relief of the drought, comes pain to others. One family that I know, while happy for the rain, is suffering through a leaky roof. They are struggling financially and do not have the ready resources to fix their roof nor is it likely they will be able to fix it during this storm. They have endured this current storm by placing numerous buckets around their home, hoping that by the time they come home in the evening, the buckets will not be overflowing. Other families are evacuating their homes that are at risk for mudslides due to the recent fires which obliterated the ground cover.

Through this past week, I have heard people praying for rain and others praying that the rain will not cause much damage. Some people who are praying are believers while others are seekers or are praying to other gods. Some simply state they are praying because it sounds very pious to do so, without truly believing in God. Ever wonder how God listens to all of these prayers and is able to answer all of them?

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118:8

God answers according to His timetable and His Will. When He answers our prayers, the answers may not always be to our expectations or liking. But when we presume we know the best answers to our prayers, we place ourselves in God’s position and literally attempt to usurp His sovereignty. God created everything and know all things that are happening and will happen. How limited and small our thoughts of God must be if we think He cannot listen and answer everyone’s prayers. I cannot attend to the immediate needs of my own family clamoring for my attention. But God can attend to the needs of billions of people and He does so with perfect guidance, precision, and efficiency. His timetable may not match ours, but thank God that it doesn’t!

We thank God for the rain and ask God for His mercy for those who may suffer from the rain. God hears and answers all of our prayers, even when we are unfaithful. Trust Him!

Love and respect the Lord; seek His will in your life.