Have you ever wondered how in the same prayer we will pray for God to send His rain and then pray for the fire of God? Why is that? What is the difference between the fire of God and the rain that comes from God?

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Until He Returns, I remain... About souls,
crucified_with_christ

Well I can't speak for anyone else on this one....but when I pray for God's fire, what I mean is that I want Him to consume me with a passion for Him and the souls of the lost, and also for Him to burn away EVERYTHING that is unpleasing to HIM. Then I ask for the rain of the Holy Spirit to come and fill me up so that I may go out and just overflow on those around me.
But thats just me....

RRRRRRRfffffffffffrrrrrrFFFFFFFFF....

Well said Foreverchanged

innerdawg

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I think Michelle nailed it, but I also believe that it's a cry (of sorts) to God for him to just show his awesome power and to give reverence to him for the things he can do. maybe not literally a rain or fire, but more of what he can do in your lives and others. I hope i expained that clearly.
Amber

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I think of asking for God's fire, like already mentioned here, is asking for His power.

Asking for rain is more symbolic of asking for peace, comfort (as in "The Comforter has Come" and
"Draw us near to Your heart, Oh God,
Let us rest our heads, on Your chest,
let us place our hands in Yours, Oh God,
Hold us face to face, Embrace this place")
and contentment as spoken about on here.

Most people will agree that just about the best time to sleep is while it is raining outside. The tap tap tap on the roof is comforting and lulls us to sleep. Asking for His rain is asking for Him to fill us with His comfort, allowing us to sleep in His arms - shielding our hearts from the stress of this world.

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- David
- http://www.truckwerks.com/

I like that, David. It is easier to sleep when it rains and I can feel a peace when i know im in God's arms. "embrace This Place" is one of my favorite praise and worship songs because it is such a desire to be comforted by God and to just let him embrace you. Its an incredible feeling

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Jesus told a parable about two house builders. One built on the Rock, the other on sand and clay. When the rains came...it washed everything away that wasn't built on the Rock. The Bible says that God causes His rain to fall on the just and the unjust... what does that mean to you guys. Rain can be peaceful--but I have never heard of a peaceful typhoon. Sometimes it just pours... "In the last days I'll pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." Rain can be very dangerous but it can also represent blessings and answers to prayers (James 5:17,18)

Elijah called the fire of God down from heaven and consumed the false prophets. "Our God is a consuming Fire." The fire lead the children of Israel by night in Exodus, Lev., Num., etc. God's fire can be a guide or burning flame that consumes all that is not of Him. At the same time God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush that did not consume it. Shaddrach, Meshach, and a big negro--I mean Abed Nego weren't consumed in the fire. Fire can represent trials but it also can represent victory in the case of Shaddrach and the boys and Elijah. How bout them tongues of fire sit on dem folks in da Book of Action (ACTS ch. 2)

Great feedback, I want to hear more about what you guys think.

Not to contradict everyone else, just to look at the two in a different light. The Word of God is multi-faceted and oftens has many truth but one ultimate-- God Rocks! Love God, Love People!
Fire Fall, Rain Come....
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Until He Returns, I remain... About souls,
crucified_with_christ

<FONT COLOR="#ffffff" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by crucified_with_christ on 05-31-2000 @ ]</font>

Well, it looks like I could've spoken for a few people....