“Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not.”
The God of Elijah still answers prayer—your prayer!
I am deeply grateful for everyone who prayed with us during the weekend of our daughter Hillary’s wedding. We had asked for friends and family to be in prayer for specific requests and God answered dramatically.
Our primary request was that the Holy Spirit be honored and bless the event with His anointing.
Second only to that request was that it not rain and that the sunset would be pretty. Hillary’s romantic dream since childhood had been to be wed on the beach and a San Diego sunset was her ideal setting. There was little room for error in that dream. The weather had to cooperate or the wedding would be a mess. After the plans had been set, once the guests had flown in from across the country, the wedding had to proceed as planned on that day’s sunset. There was no ‘plan B.’
But rain was forecast. The clouds hung in the sky as visible proof. All that day, Hillary’s and Dave’s choice of time, setting and dress seemed ill-advised.
But God! Just as our son-in-law, Randy Jumper, pronounced them man and wife, Kathi nudged me. Look at the sun, she said softly. The setting sun was lighting the low-hanging clouds on the horizon with glowing shafts of red and orange. Not only had God held off the rain, the very clouds that threatened were being used to paint a beautiful backdrop.
Less than four hours later, God lifted his hand and those clouds poured rain so heavily that I was forced to slow my car to a crawl on the freeway. The message to me was clear. God had answered.
How can we thank all of you who stood with us in prayer? The Lord was truly honored and acknowledged through the whole ceremony. I felt His presence in that little family group in a sanctuary of His design and provision.
May I place a further prayer request on your list? We have begun to itinerate in the Arkansas district with whom I am credentialed. The pastors in the district have been very welcoming. Some churches have already graciously pledged support for our ministry before I meet with members of their congregation to present our calling. This weekend I will be speaking at a missions convention in a wonderful church in northwestern Arkansas.
As God reminds you of us, could you pray with us for His leading and anointing as we make new friends among the pastors of Arkansas?
With love and gratitude for your friendship,