The Pacific Area Presidency called on its members to join together in praying for rain in Australia last week, as it is being ravaged by fire. On social media I’ve seen posts from members rejoicing that their prayers have been answered this week. What a miracle!

The wet season in Australia is from November to April. It has been drier than normal this year going into the wet season, but we are still smack dab in the middle of the expected rainfall season. On January 3, 2020 when the area presidency called on members to pray for rain, rain was in the extended forecast for most days of the month. It still is, in fact, and listed precipitation forecast is “wetter than normal”.

What a miracle then, that it would rain during the middle of the wet season in Australia.

Many religious people believe that God has a hand in everything. He blesses the rains down in Africa as he seeth fit. He causes famines to humble His people. He shows his divine mercy by sending “moisture” as requested from the pulpit.

One might ask the question then, why God saw fit to burn most of the continent, killing at least 25 people that we know of so far (not to mention the health issues that will follow from breathing heavy smoke) as well as nearly 500 million animals, displacing tens of thousands of people and wildlife from their homes and habitats, but is so easily dissuaded from from continuing his bloody rampage by the prayers of the 152,948 LDS in Australia? That is a mere 0.6% of its population.

According to the BBC, the rain in from Sydney to Melbourne brings some relief, but the fires will rage on later this week. Fires from Victoria and NSW could join to create a “mega blaze”.

While believers are consoled that their prayers are “answered” in the short-term, unless the weather patters drastically change, it appears their God is just playing a cruel joke on them when He allows the fires to rage on after the storms pass.

So much then, for a loving sky Santa. Clearly we’re all on his naughty list.

Meanwhile, the LDS church takes credit for the rain and thanks all those who prayed.

“As this Fast Sunday draws to an end for the Pacific Area we are heartened as an Area Presidency to hear reports of just how many members joined with the Pacific Area Presidency in dedicating a portion of their fast to petition the Lord for relief from the bushfires and drought conditions in Australia. We hope you are heartened to learn that Saints from around the world, at their own volition, joined in the fast with you. We thank all who participated for this physical demonstration of their faith in Christ and their love and compassion for their fellow Saints.” Even with the rain, authorities warn that the fires will continue to burn. The weather will turn hot and dry again by the end of the week, according to Sydney News.

So…why is God only partially answering the prayers? I guess He’s got other stuff to do before the weekend.