“You can seed the clouds in many different ways, but none more powerful than prayer. When was the last time you found yourself doubled over in prayer? The posture that Elijah assumes indicates profound humility and extreme intensity. . . . There are moments when you need to press in and pray through. You need to seed the clouds with contending prayer.”- Mark Batterson
“Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.”- 1 Kings 18:42 (NLT)
Mark Batterson introduces Habit 7 – Seed the Clouds with a story about chemist Vincent Schaefer. In 1946, he conducted clandestine experiments in cloud seeding. On a hot July day, Schaefer added dry ice to the clouds he created with his breath. As a result, the dry ice caused a chemical reaction and catalyzed snow crystals in the freezer.
Then, on December 13, 1946, Schaefer flew his single-propeller plane into a cumulus cloud. Next, he dumped six pounds of dry ice into the cloud. According to eyewitnesses on the ground, the cloud seemed to explode. And the snowfall that resulted was visible for forty miles.
Likewise, Pastor Batterson exhorts, you have to seed the clouds. That occurs when you take proactive measures today to produce desired outcomes tomorrow. In addition, Mark notes you can:
- seed the clouds with something as simple as a smile
- shift the atmosphere with your attitude
- alter the trajectory of someone’s life with a small act of kindness
Above all, cloud seeding happens with every sacrifice you make and every risk you take! Furthermore, believe in the power of a single seed, a single prayer. For prayer possesses the power to change anything and everything! Hence, Mark stresses, don’t worry about outcomes. Instead, focus on impacts. Just plant and water. God gives the increase. The author adds:
“Don’t despise the day of small beginnings or clouds the size of a man’s hand (1 Kings 18:44). God can move mountains with a mustard seed of faith! . . . What is your God-given passion? What are you waiting for?”
Today’s question: How do you plan to apply Habit 7 to your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Decision fatigue and making good decisions”
