O Faithful God, Thou God of truth and righteousness, who unto the most
comforting assurance hast shown us in Thy word of truth, how that an
earnest, zealous, faithful and persevering prayer, powerfully penetrates
the clouds of heaven, and not only most certainly comes into Thy
presence, but also that it avails and effects a great deal, we, Thy poor
children, now come, upon Thy comforting promise, in this extraordinarily
protracted season of heat and drought, with our faithful, hearty and
earnest prayer before the face of Thy lofty and divine majesty, and
humbly beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst graciously hear us according to
Thy promise, turn Thy great wrath in mercy from us, give unto the parched
earth again its needed moisture, and cause a propitious shower to fall in
quickening drops upon the earth, in order that it may again bring forth
the ordained fruits so necessary for the support of our temporal life,
which Thou in Thy paternal providence hast already ordained in the first
creation. As of old Thou didst unlock the windows of heaven in answer to
the faithful prayer of Thy servant and prophet Elias, and didst cause it
to rain upon the thirsty earth, so we also confide the same to Thee now,
that Thou wilt let Thy grace reign over us in this season of heat and
drought, and out of Thy fatherly care for us, grant us our earnest
petition and prayer, unto Thy honor and our salvation, through Jesus
Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Redeemer and Saviour. Amen.