RAIN DOWN

Lord, thank you for the rain you sent to us and the rain you are sending.

The weather for the next week does not look too promising for rain or any relief from the 100 plus degree temperatures.  Texas is in the grip of historic wildfires that have destroyed nearly 1.8 million acres of forest and grassland in the state as well as 400 homes. The almost 8,000 fires so far this year are unprecedented.

Many will see the only hope of rain and relief from the heat to be in the form of a hurricane hitting the Texas coast.  That would be bad for the people of the coast but good for those of us who would be blessed with the much needed rain.  I believe there is a greater hope. 

In 1 Kings 18:41-44, Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”  It is amazing that the only cloud visible to Ahab was the size of a man’s hand off in the distance yet Elijah told Ahab to ‘hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you’.  That had to be some rain for it to be able to stop a chariot.  That is the kind of rain we need now!  That is the faith we need now!

If you have been praying for rain – don’t stop.  If you have not – start.  Remember, when you pray for rain, carry your umbrella.  Show your faith.  Pray without ceasing for God to heal our land, fill up the lakes, rivers and creeks.

If you are going to pray for rain you need to carry your umbrella.

Where is your Umbrella?  Where is your faith?

PRAYER FOR OUR GOVERNMENT

God created government to protect our freedoms so we can spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  By hearing God’s word and praying for our country, we can lead a quiet and peaceable life which will enable us to spread the gospel.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 states: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Satan tries to work through our governments to stop believers from spreading the gospel by either limiting or eliminating our liberties.

How can we stop this?
1. Spread the gospel
2. Pray
3. Vote our convictions

Father, give us leaders after Your heart! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands; leaders whom the lust of office does not kill; leaders whom the spoils of office cannot buy; leaders who possess your opinions and will; leaders who have honor; leaders who will not lie; leaders who does not use false claims and promises in order to gain power, and can withstand the treacherous flatteries without winking!

Father, give us Christian leaders who are not afraid to stand up for you.  Leaders who will do the right thing when the wrong thing will benefit them.  We thank You that we live in a Christian nation.

Father, we thank you that we and our leaders have your supernatural wisdom and the ability to make the right decisions every time.  Father, you said the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, so we thank you that you are guiding our steps and our leaders’ steps.

Father, I thank you that our leaders are strong in the power of your might and well able to do what you have called them to do.

Micah 4:5 states “All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”  Lord, we thank you that we walk in Your name.

Father, you are our judge, our lawgiver, our king and only you can save us.”  Help us to always seek you when we enter the voting booth to elect Christian leaders and help us to encourage those who we elect.

Father I pray for our government officials to recognize Your authority and rely on You for wisdom, for our country to stand strong on the principles of our Founding Fathers, and that our leaders will make wise decisions rather than succumbing to special interest groups.

Father I pray Isaiah 1:26 over our leaders. You said, “I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning.  Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”

We pray this in Jesus’ name.

Amen