The Rain Continued

His daughter was desperately ill. Modern drugs were unknown, and those that were commonly prescribed were sometimes poisonous, claiming lives instead of saving lives. Physicians could offer little hope or help.

Frances Howland had rheumatic fever.

There were fears she might die. But the family knew what to do. They would turn to God and pray, and He would hear their prayer.

Her father, Stockbridge Howland, believed God could heal his daughter. The believers who had gathered in his home fervently prayed that God would restore the young woman to full health. After they had prayed, someone asked if there was a female present who would be willing to go upstairs to encourage Francis to get out of bed. Had she not been healed? The woman who volunteered took Frances by the hand and said, “Sister Frances, in the name of the Lord arise, and be whole.” Frances dressed and went downstairs to join the group. She was well!* It is one thing to pray but another to act on faith. Imagine how many more prayers would be answered in the affirmative if those who prayed truly believed God was able to do what was being asked! As I stood on the platform about to preach at a camp meeting, the sound of the rain falling on the roof of the tent was deafening. In my opening prayer, I prayed that God would stop the rain so the sermon could begin. I could barely be heard, but I prayed in faith, knowing God could cause the rain to stop falling. During the prayer, the deluge went on. But at the exact moment that I said, “Amen,” the rain stopped. Immediately! Not long afterward, I was speaking at another camp meeting, where reports showed there were bad storms in the area. The rain thundered down on the tin roof of the auditorium.

As before, I prayed God would stop the rain.

But this time, in the back of my mind, I felt it was unlikely the rain would actually stop. I prayed a half-hearted prayer.

The rain continued.