High and Dry

Faithful looking for showers of blessings

He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. Job 5:10

As area rivers and reservoirs shrink, many people in the region are appealing to the highest source for relief.

"People need to come together to pray for rain," said the Rev. Melvyn Salter, who is also chairman of the Cherokee County (Ala.) Commission.

Many of Weiss Lake's boat docks are now yards from any water. Salter thinks God is the best hope.

"God can send rain. That's the source," Salter said.

Salter, who is often called on to lead prayer at events, asked for rain when he led the blessing at a fundraiser for the Cedar Bluff Park last week.

The faithful at Rome's Trinity United Methodist Church, 606 Turner McCall Blvd., are going to spend half a day Thursday in prayer for precipitation.

The church will have a prayer vigil from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call Jean or Hoke Kidney at 706-234-6545 or 706-346-4346.

At least one Calhoun church is planning to send prayers for rain heavenward.

New Town Baptist Church, 897 New Town Creek Road, will hold a communitywide "Prayer for Rain" meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Pastor David Ray asked that Gordon Countians who are unable to attend to try and find time around 7 p.m. Tuesday to offer a prayer for rain.

The Rev. Pieter de Bruijn, pastor of Lindale United Methodist Church in Floyd County, said his congregation has lifted up the need for rain during prayer time on Sundays.

"We have brought it up during prayers and praises," de Bruijn said. "We realize how important this is to so many people, farmers, landscapers and even gardeners."

Sean Stanfield, pastor at Springs Community Church in Ringgold, said the church has been sending out a request to pray for rain on its prayer list for the last month and a half. He said rain the area received Thursday was a blessing.

"We're going to continue to pray and hope that God sends a whole lot more," he said.

First Baptist Church of Rome posted a prayer in time of drought in a recent bulletin:

Lord, we confess we do not always understand your ways or your methods of dealing with your children. We do not always see the lessons you would teach us from the events of this life, nor do we claim enough wisdom to understand your will. We would never presume to instruct you on what is right or what is good. Yet, we cannot help but to ask for rain.

From Rome News-Tribune