Pray for Rain

Dear readers,

This weekend in Melbourne has been full of miracles on a personal level and a national level. As you might have known, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sent out an announcement to those living in the Pacific Region to initiate an area-wide fast for January 5th, 2020, in petitioning the Lord for rain. Australia has been under a fiery siege since September, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, thousands have fled towards safety, communities have been destroyed, and nobody really knows yet how badly our beautiful wildlife and creatures have been affected. We just know that it's bad, and perhaps near impossible to recover.

My beautiful clan that I married into, the Mckellar family, all agreed to participate in this fast and prayer petitioning the Lord for rain. It was a very special weekend for us as we planned to exchange Christmas gifts and celebrate the birth of the newest member of our clan. My baby niece's name blessing was a moving experience to witness. Nothing, to me, is ever more moving than a father expressing his heartfelt love for a daughter, and my handsome husband got to be a part of the men of using their priesthood to assist his brother in this blessing. Despite the festivities and celebration, I am so glad that we planned to fast with our nation, a fast of which I think will be also happening tomorrow in America (different time zones), where my sister and hopefully other American friends will also lend their faith in fasting and prayer, thus making this a world-wide fast. 

Today is January 5th, 2020, and this morning I woke up to the sound of rain. Only yesterday we were suffering from blistering heat, so hot that even the wind was hot. And today, the Lord decided to bless us for our efforts and give us respite from the heat by instead opening up the heavens with rain and cold wind.

Of course, this current rain isn't near enough to douse the heat monstrosities threatening our country ... But it is a start. And it is an answer to the tens of thousands Australians and area-wide communities praying for rain. And you know what? I know that more rain will come.

In my personal prayers and prayers with Lawrence, the Spirit whispered to me that I need to repent. The fires weren't my fault, but as a citizen of this country, I need to do my part to look after my country. I need to do my part to look after the earth that our Heavenly Father has gifted to us. And in our times of difficulty and sorrow, let us never forgot how merciful the Lord has been throughout our lives. In our times of struggle and trial, let us remember the Lord and His gospels, let us all repent and turn to Him for comfort, direction and peace. 

Just as the ancient prophet Nephi petitioned the Lord for rain, let us too, petition for rain.

12 O Lord, wilt thou turn away thine anger, yea, thy fierce anger, and cause that this famine may cease in this land.

13 O Lord, wilt thou hearken unto me, and cause that it may be done according to my words, and send forth rain upon the face of the earth, that she may bring forth her fruit, and her grain in the season of grain.

(Book of Mormon, Helaman 11:12-13).

Mind you Nephi's era was a time of great wickedness, and the Lord gave him power over the earth because Nephi's will was one with God. But the principle is the same, if God's will is to save our burning lands--and I think it very well may be--we must ask in faith for this to happen, and then it will happen.

I know that God has the power to heal the earth, save our lives, bring us peace. I know this because it was through God that I have been healed, that my life was saved, and that even after my tremendous losses, I live with peace and love and hope.

Let's pray for rain.

Written with love,

Eliza Mckellar.