Prayer and Promises

The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of Man.

“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain.”... God’s work for us demands the action of our mind, the exercise of our faith. We must seek his favors with the whole heart if the showers of grace are to come to us. We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing. Christ has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” The convocations of the church, as in camp-meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God’s appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain. 

A mere attendance upon all the meetings that are held will not in itself bring a blessing to the soul... The circumstances may seem to be favorable for a rich outpouring of the showers of grace. But God himself must command the rain to fall. Therefore we should not be remiss in supplication. We are not to trust to the ordinary working of providence. We must pray that God will unseal the fountain of the water of life. And we must ourselves receive of the living water. Let us, with contrite hearts, pray most earnestly that now, in the time of the latter rain, the showers of grace may fall upon us. At every meeting we attend, our prayers should ascend that at this very time, God will impart warmth and moisture to our souls. As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain. If we pray for the blessing in faith, we shall receive it as God has promised. 

We should daily receive the holy oil that we may impart to others. All may be light-bearers to the world if they will. We are to sink self out of sight in Jesus. We are to receive the word of the Lord in counsel and instruction, and gladly communicate it. There is now need of much prayer. Christ commands, “Pray without ceasing;” that is, keep the mind uplifted to God, the source of all power and efficiency. 

The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for his blessing.

We come to You, O Lord, seeking Your favors with our whole hearts. With contrite hearts we earnestly seek the rich outpouring of the showers of grace. Cleanse our hearts with living water, unseal the fountain of the water of life. May Your Holy Spirit work in us and give us a gentleness and humbleness of mind. You are good to give the latter rain to those who ask that Your church may be prepared for Your coming. We seek for Your blessings for Your glory and honor. You are the only source of our power and efficiency!