Why Pray for Rain? (Praying for Rain! United Prayer)

“Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them
showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.” Zech. 10:1
“Let Christians ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in the
days of the apostles was the former rain, and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant.” Evangelism, p. 701
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14
“There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation.” Messages to Young People, p. 133
“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today. Moral darkness, like a funeral pall, covers
the earth. All manner of false doctrines, heresies, and satanic deceptions are misleading the minds of men.
Without the Spirit and power of God it will be in vain that we labor to present the truth.” Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 5, p. 158

“A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should
be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not
willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. . . . [It] is our work, by
confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised
to grant us His blessing. A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.” Selected Messages, bk. 1, p.
121
“God has instructed me that our workers need to experience the deep moving of the Spirit of God;
many are in need of a fuller conversion. On the day of Pentecost, in response to the continued prayers of the
disciples, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven with the sound as of a rushing mighty wind. For ages the
heavenly influences had been held in restraint; but in response to the fervent prayers of these humble men,
they descended with power to co-operate with human agencies. Then what confessions came forth from
human lips, what humiliation of soul was manifested. And what songs of praise and thanksgiving mingled
with the voice of penitence and confession. All heaven bent to listen to the lowly seekers after God.” The Kress Collection, p. 31
“A chain of earnest, praying believers should encircle the world. Let all pray in humility. . . . Let those who
cannot leave home gather in their children, and unite in learning to pray together. . . . In response to the
prayers of God’s people, angels are sent with heavenly blessings.” Reflecting Christ, p. 121

Why United Prayer? (Praying for Rain! United Prayer)

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for
them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the
midst of them.” Matt. 18:19, 20

“We are encouraged to pray for success, with the divine assurance that our prayers will be heard and
answered. . . . The promise is made on the condition that the united prayers of the church are offered, and
in answer to these prayers, there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to
private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and
for one another.”  Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 303 (Letter 32, 1903, p. 5)
“Precious promise! Do we believe it? What marvelous results would appear if the united prayers of this company were to ascend to God in living faith!”Evangelism, p. 414
“When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove. Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and
then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous,and more fervent than in those early days.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 161

“Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Acts 2:1
“Brethren should stand shoulder to shoulder, uniting their prayers at the throne of grace, that they may
move the arm of the Omnipotent. Heaven and earth will then be closely connected in the work, and there
will be joy and gladness in the presence of the angels of God, when the lost sheep is found and restored.”
Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 210
“And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek
prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy. . . . And Aaron and Hur supported his hands.” Exod. 17:11, 12
“Those who meet together for prayer will receive an unction from the Holy One. There is great need of secret prayer, but there is also need that several Christians meet together and unite with earnestness
their petitions to God.” In Heavenly Places, p. 91
“In every church there should be stated seasons for united prayer for the advancement of this work. Let all
be united, having a specific object for their faith and entreaties.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, p. 294
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with His brothers.” Acts 1:14The goal of united prayer is to come into one accord so the Holy Spirit can fill us. In addition, we’ve been instructed to pray unitedly so God’s power can be unleashed and the Great Controversy finally ended.

What Is United Prayer? (Praying for Rain! United Prayer)

If it is your desire to bring united prayer to your family, friends, and church members, but you’re not sure what united prayer really looks like, this handbook will provide concrete suggestions to jump-start your prayer efforts. The model we recommend works for groups as small as two or as large as hundreds, and it may be implemented in nearly any setting. It can also be used during a weekly prayer meeting or evangelistic series, as part of a church service, in an all-day prayer room format, or even within the family circle at home.
The Holy Spirit ultimately leads the flow of the prayer session; however, remembering that God is a God of
order, we lead united prayer in an organized manner. After a few instructions and introductory words, the
prayer leader begins helping the group walk through four prayer themes. The following suggested time
breakdown works well for a one-hour prayer session:

Welcome/Introduction: 5 Minutes

Adoration/Praise: 10 minutes

Confession: 5-10 minutes

Supplication: 20 minutes

Thanksgiving: 5-10 minutes

While the prayer leader facilitates the transition from one theme to the next, the leader does not do all the praying. This is united prayer, and the goal is to get all the participants involved. We follow a conversational
approach. The floor is open for people to add to the group conversation with God as they are prompted by the Holy Spirit.

How to Begin United Prayer (Praying for Rain! United Prayer)

Before starting an hour, or any amount of time, in united prayer, we briefly explain the format so that participants understand how the prayer session will proceed. As you become more experienced at leading,
you will develop your own method of communicating this information.

1. We will pray through four main themes.  Adoration and Praise: God tells us to enter His courts with praise. Thus, during this first theme, our focus is praise and adoration. Rather than rushing right into our requests, we want to take time to worship God and reflect on the beauty of His character as revealed in
His Word. Inspiration tells us that as we learn to praise God more, we will be given more blessings for which to praise Him.

Confession: Confession is a very important aspect of an effective prayer life. It also helps keep the channels
open between us and God (Isa. 59:1, 2; 1 John 1:9). Of course, many sins are of a private nature and should be confessed silently between you and God. (A time for silent confession is encouraged.) For those faults that are confessed publicly (Jas. 5:16), keep in mind that we don’t want to confess something that would cause another to stumble (for example, specific lustful acts or thoughts, sexual sins, etc.). In Dan. 9:4-16, we see Daniel’s example of corporate confession on behalf of God’s people. This is the type of confession that we’d like to focus on during this prayer time. However, the most important thing is to confess, silently or publicly, as the Holy Spirit convicts. (For more inspiration on confession, see page 29.)


Supplication: Here we take God at His Word and give Him our needs, both physical and spiritual. He tells us to ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7:7), and He tells us that we do not have because we do not ask (Jas. 4:2). So let’s take Him at His Word and ask! We aren’t to ask only for ourselves either. We are to ask that we may bless others. God tells us to ask large things of Him! Our greatest need is that of the Holy Spirit, so let this be the major focus of our supplication. We don’t take prayer requests before prayer, but we encourage you to give them to God during our time of supplication, and we will support you in your request.

Thanksgiving: We end with thanksgiving, praising Him for what He’s done and looking forward in faith to what He will do. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20)
2. Please follow the prayer leader. The leader will begin and end the prayer, as well as transition the group from one theme to the next.
3. You can pray multiple times, but keep each prayer short (1-3 sentences) and focus on a single theme
(praise, supplication, etc.).
4. We pray conversationally. Voice your prayer as the Holy Spirit leads, and if you just want to listen at first, that’s fine too.
5. Please speak up when you pray, so the group can hear you and agree with you in prayer.

6. Claim a Bible verse, or sing a song during prayer. If God brings a song to mind, feel free to start singing,
and the others will join in. We are told that “singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer” (Child Guidance, p. 523).
There’s nothing so beautiful as a prayer session where the group bursts into united song and praise!
7. Ask God to inspire your prayers. “We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 147).
8. Finally, as we begin, let’s press together in a close circle. It’s easier to hear each other’s prayers, and it also promotes a spirit of unity among us. And that’s what we want. If we are going to be family in heaven some day, we might as well start acting like family here.

Note to prayer leader: During the prayer time, you may wish to claim an appropriate Bible verse or begin a song that others can join you in singing. Uniting in song as you move from one theme to the next is a special way of drawing the group closer together in worship and praise. When thinking of songs, we recommend that you choose simple, familiar songs that most people know. This eliminates the need for hymnals and the
risk of losing the attitude of reverence while participants fumble for the correct page number. We have some suggested songs and verses for your convenience and inspiration on pages 9-14.

Adoration and Praise
Song Ideas to Begin Prayer Time: “Whisper a Prayer in the Morning,” “As We Come to You in Prayer,”
“Sanctuary,” “Open Our Eyes, Lord,” “Into My Heart,” “Change My Heart, O God,” “Nearer, Still Nearer,” “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Ps. 100:4

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. . . . Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Ps. 95:2, 6

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. . . . Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Ps. 34:1, 3

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Rev. 4:8

“Praise the Lord, saying, ‘For His mercy endures forever.’” 2 Chron. 7:6

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Ps. 150:6

Adoration Songs: “I Love You, Lord,” “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Open Our Eyes, Lord,” “Holy Ground,” “God So Loved the World,” “Into My Heart,” “As the Deer,” “How Great Thou Art,” “His Name Is Wonderful,” “Blessed Assurance.”

Confession
“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
 2 Chron. 7:14

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But
your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isa. 59:1, 2

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Ps. 66:18

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective,
fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Jas. 5:16“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:12

Confession Songs: “Amazing Grace,” “Thank You, Lord,” “Create in Me a Clean Heart,” “What a Friend
We Have in Jesus,” “He Lives,” “Power in the Blood,” “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” “Roll, Roll Your Burdens Away,” “Have Thine Own Way Lord.”


Supplication
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14, 15

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Matt. 18:19

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matt. 7:7, 8

“Yet you do not have because you do not ask. . . . Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Jas. 4:2, John 16:24

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you
will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
John 15:7

“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched
arm. There is nothing too hard for you.” Jer. 32:17

Supplication Songs: “He’s Able,” “God Is So Good,” “In His Time,” “Seek Ye First,” “Make Me a Servant,” “Let Your Heart Be Broken,” “Whisper a Prayer,” “Showers of Blessing.”

Thanksgiving
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Eph. 3:20

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all
your diseases.” Ps. 103:2, 3

“Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isa. 65:24

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. . . . Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. . . . But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.” Heb. 10:23; 11:1, 6

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Phil. 4:6

Thanksgiving Songs: “To God Be the Glory,” “Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place,” “He Lives,” “I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” “Take My Life and Let It Be,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” “Spirit of the Living God,” “Showers of Blessing.”

Faith Verses for Prayer (Praying for Rain! United Prayer)

“According to your faith let it be to you.” Matt. 9:29 “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Gen. 18:14
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Ps. 81:10
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Ps. 20:7
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not
willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. . . . If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Exod. 14:14, Rom. 8:31
“As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.” Ps. 55:16-18“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
John 15:7
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. . . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Eph. 6:12, 13, 18
“By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Pet. 1:4“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matt. 24:13

How to Close United Prayer (Praying for the Rain! United Prayer)

At the close of the prayer session, the leader should encourage participants to continue in prayer in the following ways:
1. Encourage participants to make united prayer a regular part of their lives. Share a copy of this mini handbook with them, if possible, so they can teach others.

2. Promote the 777 Prayer Initiative (prayer for the Holy Spirit at 7 A.M. and 7 P.M., seven days a week in each local time zone, in order to create a global prayer chain).
3. Stress the importance of perseverance in prayer if we want to share the experience of the disciples in the upper room.
4. Ask people to share their testimonies if they were blessed by united prayer. This will help others to try it in the future. The leader may collect testimonies directly after the prayer session or encourage participants to share on the Revival and Reformation website (www.revivalandreformation.org) for the encouragement of others worldwide.
5. Remind participants to follow through on the convictions that God laid on their hearts during prayer, no matter how difficult they may be. We can pray, but if we continue in the same sinful, selfish ways after the prayer is over, what gain is there?