Editor:

Farmers and ranchers are those folks who especially know how precious rain is (or should be) to everyone. Old myths and tall tales have been conversation, concerning ways as if anyone could make it rain. ”If you kill a rattlesnake, be sure to turn his bottom side up!” “Do a rain dance!” “Pay your preacher!”

This drought is widespread over numberless counties, and it doesn’t appear there is any relief in sight.

On the other hand, some may ask, “Why is rain so important?”

Adequate rainfall not only replenishes life to plants and animals (including us), but it also cools down soaring temperatures in dry areas and flushes the dust and other allergy causing materials out of the air into the ground ( and makes us all feel better.) Rainfall also helps those in agricultural production to produce food and fiber (except synthetic fibers such as plastics, polyester, nylon, etc,) When farmers and ranchers gain by adequate rainfall (in producing crops and livestock, and/or poultry), they can in turn afford to improve or expand their farms or ranches and thereby help lumber, hardware, and other such merchants maintain and increase their profits. (Of course, farmers and ranchers want to enjoy some profits for pleasure, too.)

Also, in the hunting camps, rainfall is needed to cause the earth to grow vegetation for the wildlife and generates income on lands not in farming or ranching production. Rainfall also keeps water levels in lakes and streams at safe levels to provide life to fish and other aquatic animals, as well as to wildlife who drink them.

If all the factors that influence rain were present, rain would come. When sultry, hot days come, we can appreciate a “good, soaking rain”. In James 5: 17-18 Elias prayed earnestly that it not rain; and it did not rain on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

It is a sobering thought, but when the Lord wants ‘a good, soaking rain’ to come, it will certainly come. Ask the Lord for rain daily (if it be His will). In James 5:16 “The effectual, fervent (unceasing) prayer of a righteous man avails much.” So, ask the Lord for rain daily.