Health & Fitness
Murrieta Mormons Pray for Rain
On Sunday, Mormons in Murrieta, and throughout the state, fasted and prayed in a united effort of faith, asking for God to send needed rain.
Under the direction of President Thomas S. Monson, who Mormons recognize as a Prophet of God, California members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , united in prayers of faith, on Sunday, to petition God and ask Him to intervene in the current drought, by sending the necessary rainfall that is needed to relieve the shortage of water as a result of having another year without adequate precipitation, and with a dismal outlook for 2014.
Along with prayers of faith, members fasted for the same 24 hours. Mormons believe that the combination of fasting and prayer, is a way to show God that we are humble, and that we acknowledge our complete dependence upon Him.
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. … The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, … and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isa. 58:9, 11
As I'm sitting here writing this post, after midnight, I've suddenly realized that I am hearing the sound of rain coming down off my roof and hitting the back patio. It's a comforting sound, and confirms, to me, that God not only hears our prayers, but that He answers sincere prayers.
I know that the amount of rain necessary to really make a difference, is going to require many days of steady rain. Which means, continued prayer by those who recognize His power to actually do, what we have asked Him to do. I believe He can, and I believe that He will, if those who believe that He can, join together in a united act of faith.
Earlier today, I was thinking about the widow Zarephath and her obedience to the counsel of Elijah, the Prophet. Her simple faith to believe what he told her, and make the necessary sacrifice, is a great lesson to all of us. By doing what he asked of her, she was blessed, and her family, and protected against the famine, until the Lord sent rain.
Today, not only are we experiencing a physical drought of water, but symbolically, there is a drought, or famine, of moral values in society. Like Zarephath, we can trust that the Lord is mindful of us, and has provided, through faith, the means to protect us, and our families.
I believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Meaning, we can trust Him. We can know that He will do today, what He's done before, if we are obedient to His commandments.
--Kathryn Skaggs
