God Hears Prayer | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1864

God Hears Prayer.

IN 1805 there was a very distressing drought through most parts of New England; and in none was it more sensibly felt than in the central part of Massachusetts. It threatened the almost entire failure of the potato crop, which at that day was the chief dependence of poor people for subsistence. Berries dried upon the bushes, grass crumbled under the feet of travelers, fields of corn were shriveled and dying, cattle lowed in the fields for fodder, the dew no less than the rain was withheld, wells and streams were in a great measure dry, and those who had no heart to look to Heaven for relief, knew not where to look.

Under these circumstances, the minister and people in a certain town, where the means of living were in less abundance than in other many places, set apart the 31st day of July for fasting and prayer. The day was, in appearance, like most others that had preceded it, clear and warm till toward night, furnishing no indications of a change. The writer of this attended the religious service of the occasion. In the afternoon the minister of the place led in prayer, with deep religious feeling and earnest importunity. After stating the distresses of the people, with humble confession, among other petitions he presented the following, "O Lord God, we beseech thee, let it be known this very day that there is a God in Israel who heareth prayer; and let showers of rain descend to refresh the scorched earth. Deny not our request, for the honor of Thy great name."

After taking a little refreshment, I mounted my horse to return home, six or eight miles. Before I had proceeded one hundred rods, the heavens dropped rain; and within one half mile I had to turn in to save myself from a thorough drenching. After tarrying till the rain abated, I passed on, and found the road filled with puddles of water; and this I expected to find even to my own door. But no; when I left the town for which prayer had been offered, I found no signs of rain except a few drops insufficient to lay the dust. Through all the following night repeated and plentiful showers fell upon that favored town; and to that place they were almost entirely confined. In all the neighboring towns the "fleece was dry." As I reached home, and especially when I heard the circumstances above related, the truth was impressed upon my own mind, that the Christian's God was the hearer of prayer.—Puritan Recorder.