We Have Waited for the Rain

We have Waited for the Rain was written after a baptism in Cody, Wyoming. One of the youth from our church had moved to Minnesota, but wanted to come back to have her baptism in the Wapiti River. 

It was cold so we had wet suits on. At the same time we were having the baptism, there were some kayakers in the river. A guy had pulled up in his Ford Bronco to eat his supper. He took in the whole scene.

After the Baptism we came out of the water and there were about a 8-12 of us who surrounded Katie in prayer on the shore. We prayed for her to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After the prayer we began to sing some praise songs. While we were singing the song, Shine, Jesus, Shine the guy from the Bronco walked up and said, “What was that you just did?”

“Was that a kayaking initiation?”

“Noooo…” I shrugged…

“Was it a baptism?” He asked tentatively.

“Yeah. would you like to join us as we sing.” And so Rick joined us as we gave praise to God.

Driving home that night, the heavens opened in a downpour.  We had been in a drought. And the drama of thunder and lightening lifted my heart to heaven as I thought about Katie’s baptism, Rick’s response, and the fact that the rain had come.

When we walked in the door in Worland, I sat down at the piano and began to sing… We have waited for the rain… as I listened to the gentle drizzle and sounds of water in the gutters… as I smelled the fresh earth after a good hard rain.

O for the rain to fall again… This song is both a declaration of faith… and a prayer for God to send the rain once again.  It brings to mind the following passage from the book of Joel:

“Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.”  (Joel 2:23-26 NKJV)

We Have Waited for the Rain

© 2001 James Moon

verse 

We have waited for the rain,

For this season of refreshing.

Yes, we have pleaded for this day

For the floods of love and blessing

pre-chorus

And now with hearts sprinkled clean

With consciences clear, boldly we come

Approaching Your throne, our heads lifted high

To drink in the rain! 

chorus

O Blessed Rain we’ve waited so long

Father let Your Spirit rain on

In showers of grace, mercy, and love

Let it rain we can’t get enough!

Let it Rain!