Sunday, February 27, 2000

Do Christians pray in vain when they pray for rain?
By Jay Massingill
Guest Columnist

At a time when this part of the country is in dire need of rain, Christians, more and more, are asking God to send rain to our drought-stricken land.

We are told it rains on the just and the unjust. But presently in our area neither the just nor the unjust have received rain. Abilene and surrounding watersheds have had very little runoff water within the last two years. Our water supply is at a low, if not critical, stage. Rural area stock tanks are drying up, with pastureland and farmland suffering from lack of moisture.

Prayers are the greatest assets Christians can possess. But, I believe we should examine our motivations and purposes before using this powerful tool God has granted us. Selfishness and greed should never be a part of our prayers. However, while praying for others whose livelihood and survival depends on rains, I have no such reservations.

While praying for rain, I had rather say, “If it be Your will, dear God.” Then on with my prayer for rain. His will will prevail, so I have no problem using the term. Christ once told his disciples, “If you have faith, and doubt not …, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Does that apply to us today, can we ask for anything we desire and receive it, if we have enough faith? I don’t think so. Can we ask God to move mountains and get it done? I don’t think so. God has the power, but if we ask amiss, He will say, “No.”

I farmed for many years, and therefore, I know what it’s like to struggle through a drought. Once while farming with crops up and growing, it turned really dry. Crops were suffering, so one neighbor remarked, “Even a good hail would beat nothing.” A day or two later, he regretted saying that because Mother Nature supplied the good hail that completely wiped out his crop.

We have a rancher friend who depends almost entirely on dirt tanks for his water supply, and when it doesn’t rain, he’s in deep trouble. Recently, he and his grandchildren were driving around his ranch checking on the livestock. Being a bit depressed due to the prolonged drought, he was talking to the grandchildren, and probably to himself, saying, “I had an $800 cow die the other day, but the good part is that I won’t have to spend $25 feeding her now.”

A fellow Christian who farmed for a living prayed for rain that would allow him to make a bumper cotton crop. He promised God he’d use any surplus, over and above his own needs, to purchase new pews for the church building.

Whether his prayers were answered, I’m not sure. It’s not my purpose to question the man’s good intentions, but from outward appearances, he was trying to work out a deal with God.

Bountiful rains prosper many, but if we pray for the sole purpose of gaining wealth, we could well be praying in vain. For instance, at times I find myself dreaming of winning a few million dollars. Just think of the good one could do with all that money in helping others. Secretly, I’m probably hoping God will allow my dreams to come true. After all, I have a great plan to help people. Hey — God knows what I’m thinking, and some of my thoughts scare me.

Now if I haven’t confused you, let’s pray for those rains. Rains that refurbish the Earth; rains that provide water for all God’s creatures; rains that help the world economy by reducing poverty that hurts so many people. Wonderful, beautiful rains that reflect the glory of God in all his wisdom. And then let’s praise Him for all He as done for us.

Jay Massingill of Abilene is a retired Scurry County auditor.