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.

The Four Themes of Prayer (Praying for Rain! United Prayer)

The Bible contains many examples of the four themes we emphasize in prayer. These examples can be found in both the Old and New Testaments and, most importantly, in Jesus’ own example of prayer. These 

themes are deeply profound, yet they can also be understood by a child. The Lord’s Prayer: Matt. 6:9-13

“Our Father which art in heaven (praise/worship), Hallowed be thy name (praise). Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (supplication for God’s will). Give us this day our daily bread

(supplication for personal needs). And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (confession and humility). And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (supplication for spiritual victory): For thineis the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever (praise/thanksgiving).” (KJV) “The Lord’s Prayer was not intended to be repeated merely as a form, but it is an illustration of what our prayers should be—simple, earnest, and comprehensive. In a simple petition tell the Lord your needs and express gratitude for His mercies. Thus you invite Jesus as a welcome guest into your home and heart.” Child Guidance, p. 524  

“We are too sparing of giving thanks.  If the lovingkindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would have far more power in prayer. We would abound more and more in the love of God and have more bestowed to praise Him for. You who complain that God does not hear your prayers, change your present order and mingle praise with your petitions. When you consider His goodness and mercies you will find that He will consider your wants.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, p. 317 More examples of these themes:Nehemiah’s Prayer: Neh. 1:5-11Children of Israel’s Prayer: Neh. 9 Solomon’s Prayer: 1 Kings 8

Daniel’s Prayer: Dan. 9:3-20 Before/After Pentecost: The Book of Acts

The Sanctuary Model

1. Thanksgiving: We are instructed to “Enter into 

His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts 

with praise.” Ps. 100:4

2. Confession: The first stop inside the sanctuary is 

the Altar of Sacrifice. Here we confess our sins and 

confess our belief in Christ, claiming His sacrifice 

made at the cross. Confession is also a prerequisite 

for receiving the Rain that we desire from Heaven. 

2 Chron. 6:26, 27; Lev. 4:26; Rom. 10:9-13.

3. Confession & Cleansing: Moving to the Laver, 

we ask God to cleanse us (baptize us) through the 

power of His Word, and we accept the forgiveness 

He offers. Ex. 30:18-21; Eph. 5:26.

4. Supplication for Holy Spirit: Then, entering 

the Holy Place, we come to the seven-branch 

Candlestick. Here we ask God to baptize us and 

fill us with His Holy Spirit. Rev. 1:12; Luke 11:13.

5. Supplication for Spiritual and Physical Bread: At 

the Table of Showbread, we ask God to supply our 

needs. Most importantly, He is the spiritual bread 

of life. However, He also promises to provide for 

our physical bread and temporal needs. John 6:35; 

Isa. 33:16; Phil. 4:19.

6. Supplication Through Our Intercessor: At the 

Altar of Incense, Christ’s righteous prayers cover 

our own, making them acceptable to God. Then, 

covered by His righteousness, we are able to 

intercede with Him for others. Rom. 8:26, 34; Isa. 

59:16; Phil. 1:3-6.

7. Thanksgiving in Worship and Praise: Finally, as 

we bow in God’s presence, reflecting on all that He 

has done for us, worship and praise again springs 

from our lips. Like the disciples after Pentecost, 

our greatest desire is to testify of what we have seen 

in Christ. Ps. 150:1, 2; Heb. 10:19-23. 

What will be the result of such prayers?

In the Old Testament, God dwelt in the physical sanctuary, or temple. Now, we are God’s temple (1 Cor. 

3:6). When we confess our sins (1 John 1:9) and turn to Him in true praise, His Spirit will fill our lives. There 

will be no room for self or self-righteousness to stand any longer. His glory will fill this place! “Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord . . . that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” 2 Chron. 5:13, 14“The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God’s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ’s propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.” Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 344“If we would offer up acceptable prayer, we should realize that in our petitioning we are in the audience chamber of the Most High. . . . It means much to pray to our Heavenly Father. We come to lay our imperfect tribute of thanksgiving at His feet in acknowledgment of His love and mercy, of which we are wholly undeserving. We come to make known our wants, to confess our sins, and to present to Him His own promises.” Review and Herald, May 28, 1895, par. 2“No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holyatmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul. It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works aredependent on a power outside of ourselves. Therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Only by constant 

renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 159

Thoughts from Church Leaders on praying for the rain

Jerry Page

“Those of us here at the General Conference headquarters want to thank your ARME prayer team for what you let the Lord do through you during our Annual Council last week (Oct 2010)! We saw the answers to prayer throughout the week as the Lord moved on all our hearts in major ways. The cover of intercessory prayer and the opportunity for our delegates to come and pray and be prayed for made a major difference in these meetings. We won’t know until eternity what the Lord was able to do because of those of you who spent so much time running the prayer room for us!”  Jerry Page Ministerial Association Secretary, General Conference

“I was so inspired with the ARME prayer team and their prayer ministry, during this last General Conference Annual Council, that I have invited the team to come and work with our division in our year-end meetings in South Africa, where our church leadership from 23 countries will be gathering together. What this United Prayer team is doing is not new, or part of some new ‘emergent movement.’ It is very biblical. Remember the story of Joshua’s victory over the Amalekites, when Aaron and Hur held up Moses arms during the battle (Ex. 17:8-16)? This united prayer is also evidenced in the life of Moses, Abraham, Daniel, Esther, and others in the Bible. This kind of earnest, fervent, united prayer (if experienced) will bring great blessings to every church and every conference around the world, and as a result, God’s Spirit will be poured out, and Jesus will come back as He has promised!” Paul Ratsara President, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division