“Send your rain,” is the cry of Covenanters who have dedicated themselves to praying for the revitalization of established churches.

Isaiah 32:15 reads:

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high
and the desert becomes a fertile field
and the fertile field seems like a forest.

We desire that the movement of revitalization be more organic than programmatic. We envision established churches that are no longer deserts but fertile fields… so fertile that it seems like a forest of green and lush vegetation.

We recognize that no matter how good our resources and workshops may be, it is only the Holy Spirit that brings life. Strategies, in and of themselves, have no power.

So we call upon to God to send the rain of His Spirit upon the established churches of the Covenant. These churches may be healthy missional, stable, critical moment or even at-risk. Regardless of a congregation’s current state of health, we all need renewal. We ask God to strengthen the established church in order to change the world.

As we pray for rain, we must also be prepared for the mud.

In Veritas we say, “There is no vitality without reality.” One by one, congregations are confronting their current reality. Admitting the truth is often the first step toward reform. Veritas provides the language for this to happen. The behavioral covenant frames these conversations in a civil, compassionate and Christ honoring way.

So, would you join with other Covenanters to pray for rain?

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high
and the desert becomes a fertile field
and the fertile field seems like a forest.

If you would like to participate in “Send Your Rain”, here is how to join this movement of prayer:

1.    Pray daily for the Holy Spirit to pour down upon your church and other established churches in the ECC.
2.    Fast once a week in one form or another.
3.    Pray for specific churches that are listed on the Veritas Network.
4.    Share answers to prayer!
5.    Subscribe to the re:vive blog and stay tuned for more ways to receive regular updates.

As part of this section we will include hymns, praise songs, liturgies, Scripture and stories that talk about rain and revival. We encourage you to use these often in your ministry and personal times of prayer. Please send us your ideas so the rain falls on all of us…

“Rain Down”, David Crowder Band  (Listen here)

“Let It Rain”, Andy Park  (Read lyrics here)