A Liturgy for Walking Through Rain
Lord of all creation,
Your handiwork magnifies the splendor of Your glory.
The pattering of wind-blown droplets
gently echo Your steady peace.
Bringing us to wonder what a love
could pour out so graciously
and wash our souls clean.
You have made us as vessels, equipped
to love,
to follow,
to walk,
led by the Spirit
who breathes life into our fickle devotion.
Stepping under the proclaiming firmament,¹
let us not turn from awe.
Let us echo the ordained creation—the wonders
wrought by our Creator—
as showers descend.
In moments of hurried travel,
socks sodden with splashes of fallen drops,
increase our patience and delight
in the descending showers.
Remind us of Your purpose,
the goodness and mercy of the Good Shepherd²
that goes before us in all circumstances.
We are quick to turn inward,
head down in solitude, noise drowning
out the cold downpouring.
We are slow to turn to You.
Direct our eyes up in awe, stillness washing
over the floods of chaos.
Let us be refreshed, restored, renewed,
cleansed of our indifference and discontentment
as the cool molecules soak our garments.
Send us out of our idleness and comfort,
disrupt the plans we establish
in vain without consideration of Your sovereignty.³
Quench our earnest thirst.⁴
Douse us in your grace
upon grace⁵ and grant it to overflow
into the crevices of our being.
The droplets soak our faces,
distorting what we once could see.
We long to fully know
the things left in secret.⁶
Forgive us for the pride that puffs up
—inordinate self-focus—gathering
and gathering until it shatters.
Turned inward,
we are blinded by our selfish ambition,
oblivious to the weight of our sin.
Remnants of the downpour
splash beneath the soles of our shoes;
we avoid the puddles as more rain pools
among the earth.
Let us rejoice!
Renew our wonder
Let us step out in faith.
Let us thirst⁷
for the overflow of your bountiful righteousness.
Let us dance in the splendor of Your provision,
the puddles of rain, the soggy clothes,
welcomed or not—still embraced.
Fill us with gratitude for the weather we once marveled in.
Children, jumping and stomping and splashing!
Attune our assumed sovereignty and
fix our gaze upon the Giver of true refreshment.
Settle our restless hearts.
Awaken and stir within
us a thankfulness for the waters
that You sent to cleanse and sustain.
In the arid land, Elijah called upon You, Lord.
You answered. Your hand supplied rushing rain.
Remind us: from everlasting to everlasting you are God.⁸
As we return to the shelter so kindly given,
Heavenly Father,
remind us to recognize Your hand in the downpour,⁹
the common grace that reflects Your steadfast love.
Holy Spirit,
remind us to rely on Your guidance,
eagerly drawing upon the bountiful streams.¹⁰
Jesus,
remind us to discern Your work
as you commanded.¹¹
You come like the rain:
steady.
You restore us to
seek first and press on,
attentive to Your faithful provision.
For You, O Lord our souls
wait in the quiet glory of Your handiwork.¹²
The stillness between storms,
a gentle whisper of Your presence.¹³
You water the earth, eliciting
all praise and honor and glory to the Maker who breathes life.
¹ Psalm 19:1
² Psalm 23:6
³ Psalm 127:1
⁴ Psalm 63:1
⁵ John 1:16
⁶ Deuteronomy 29:29
⁷ Matthew 5:6
⁸ Psalm 90:2
⁹ Job 5:10
¹⁰ John 7:38
¹¹ Luke 12:56
¹² Psalm 62
¹³ 1 Kings 19:12