By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SINGER, La. (LBM) – Churches in Beauregard and Vernon Baptist associations gathered for special prayer services Aug. 27 and asked God for much needed rain in areas where wildfires have scorched more than 50,000 acres. Sunday, the congregations of First Baptist Church, DeRidder, and East Leesville Baptist Church services sought God’s help, through prayer, to ask the Almighty to intervene as weary first responders, church members and people in the community have waged a two-week battle against the wildfires. By the end of the evening, their prayers were answered as many areas in west-central Louisiana saw their first measurable rainfall since mid-July. The Sunday evening gathering at FBC DeRidder drew more than 350 while the service at East Leesville Baptist had more than 120. “We believe that God wants His people to draw close to Him in every circumstance,” FBC DeRidder Pastor Steve Graves told the Baptist Message after the service. “The drought and fires happen to be the circumstance that has brought our community closer to God. And when that happens, it’s pleasing to God and honors God. “God is faithful, whether it rains or not,” he continued. “And last night, in his … [Read more...]