Isaiah 44:1-5

Part of this (verse 3) I want to pray for our land right now. The parched south. We are in serious drought. "For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground." Lord God let it not be a torrential storm, like a hurricane. But bring us the rain the crops need, our gardens and lawns need. Amen.

For Israel, the rains meant life. Drought meant ruin and starvation. We may not starve because of drought but there are places in the world where people do. So let us remember those in other places where there is drought. Please supply for these people in their need. And bring life giving rain.

In Isaiah God uses the image of rain pouring to illustrate the pouring of the Spirit on your offspring. God will pour out blessings on us with children who will grow up strong in stature and in knowledge of God.

"They will give glory to God, call on God's name." They will tattoo "belonging to the Lord" on their hand. Archaeologists have found "belonging to the king" on jars. They think that these jars were placed in the city and used for people to pay their taxes in grain and wine and olive oil. A slave might be branded in a similar way. So this would be a familiar analogy to Isaiah's readers.

Lord we pray for rain for our land. And we pray for our children that they will come to know you and love you. Pour out your Holy Spirit on them, get them wet.