There was not a single nodding head or heavy eyelid as the congregation listened intently to Aunt Rebecca's prayer:
Pardon us, thou God of mercy and love,
On earth as it is in heaven above
(The air outside was hot and very still)
Forgive and make bare thy mighty arm
And shield us from impending harm
(Was that a breath of air that stirred through the open window?)
For the sake of those who fear thy name
Send us; oh send us a copious rain!
(It was a breeze. Though very, very slight, but a breeze and from a different direction!)
Thou great eternal Spirit,
Thy abode is everywhere
(There was a dark cloud gathering to the west)
And thou has ever promised
To answer believers' prayers!
Part of a presentation given by Nan Lechtrecker and written by Jere Austin, Church Historian, in 1976 in honor of the Bicentennial of the United States of America
