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August 24, 2023

Inspired by the Old Testament prophet Elijah, a group of Christians in Central Texas are praying for rain amid a severe drought.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of Central Texas is experiencing “exceptional drought,” the most severe degree on the scale, marked by “exceptional and widespread crop loss” and “extreme sensitivity to fire danger” while “most wildlife species health and population are suffering.”

A pastor from Hays County, Jimmy Darnell, led a group of believers in prayer Monday and told KXAN-TV they will be praying daily over the next week.

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“We got farmers, ranchers, all kinds of folks here, and were just asking the Lord to send us rain,” he told the local news station. “Our aquifers are at historic lows. Our rivers are drying up. So weve got to have some divine help from heaven.”

The motivation behind the week-long prayer effort, the pastor explained, comes from 1 Kings 18:41-46, where it’s written the prophet Elijah prayed seven days in a row for the Lord to bring rain to the land: And Elijah said to Ahab, Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

Go and look toward the sea, he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

There is nothing there, he said.

Seven times, Elijah said, Go back.

The seventh timethe servant reported, A cloudas small as a mans hand is rising from the sea.

So Elijah said, Go and tell Ahab, Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rainstarted falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.The powerof theLordcame on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt,he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (NLT)

King Ahab, misguided by his wife, trusted in false gods to provide for his needs. Elijah much to the king’s chagrin confronted him repeatedly with his disobedience to the one true God. Because the prophet trusted in the Lord’s promises, his faith was rewarded: the rain came.

Darnell said he is seeking God with the same kind of trust.

Hays County saw light rainfall Tuesday. While encouraging, the pastor said he and his fellow community members are praying for a lot more.

“Were praying for drought-busting rains,” said Darnell. “By New Years Eve, wed like to have 40 inches of rain.”

The county was met with a similar drought in 2009, when Darnell and other Christians petitioned the Lord in the same way. At that time, they saw 39 inches of rain by year’s end. The pastor is confident they’ll see it happen again.

“When you see different churches and people who dont even go to church coming out here to pray because they know the need,” he said. “Theres a sense of unity thats really beautiful.”

***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up forFaithwires daily newsletterand download theCBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

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Canucks, Boeser agree on new seven-year deal

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Canucks, Boeser agree on new seven-year deal

The Vancouver Canucks have come to terms with forward Brock Boeser on a new seven-year contract, carrying a $7.25 million AAV.

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin announced the deal on Tuesday during the first hour of NHL free agency. Boeser, 28, was an unrestricted free agent on a previously expiring contract.

Drafted by Vancouver 23rd overall in the 2015 NHL draft, Boeser has collected 204 goals and 434 points in 554 games with the Canucks to date. A top-six scoring threat, Boeser has elite playmaking skills and the potential to produce big numbers offensively. He had his best year offensively in 2023-24, producing 40 goals and 73 points in 81 games.

Boeser didn’t hit those marks again last season — settling for 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games — but was still second amongst teammates in output. He also plays a prominent role on Vancouver’s power play and when he can generate opportunities at 5-on-5, he is a true difference-maker up front for the Canucks.

The extension is a happy ending for Vancouver and Boeser. When the regular season ended, Boeser admitted “it’s tough to say” whether he’d be back with the Canucks. Boeser reportedly turned down a previous five-year extension offer with the club and Allvin subsequently looked into deals for him at the March trade deadline, with no takers. Boeser looked — and sounded — poised to explore his options on the open market.

Ultimately, Boeser decided to stay put by committing the best years of his career to the Canucks.

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Jake Allen agrees to 5-year deal with the Devils

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Jake Allen agrees to 5-year deal with the Devils

Jake Allen, one of the top goaltenders available entering free agency, is not heading to the market after agreeing to a five-year deal with the New Jersey Devils, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Allen’s average annual value on the deal is $1.8 million, sources told ESPN. That AAV allows the Devils to run back the same goaltending tandem for next season.

Jacob Markstrom has one year remaining on his contract for $4.125 million. Nico Daws is also under contract for next season, before becoming a restricted free agent next summer.

Several teams were interested in the 34-year-old veteran, whom sources said could have made more money on the open market. However, the deal with the Devils gives Allen long-term security. Allen has played for the Blues, Canadiens and Devils over his 12-year-career. He has started in 436 career games.

Last season, Allen started 29 games for the Devils, going 13-16-1 with a .906 save percentage, 2.66 GAA and four shutouts.

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Capitals sign Fehervary to 7-year, $42M extension

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Capitals sign Fehervary to 7-year, M extension

Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary signed a seven-year extension through the 2032-33 season that is worth $6 million annually, the team announced Tuesday.

Fehervary, who had one year of team control remaining, will enter the final season of a three-year bridge deal that will see him make $2.675 million before his new contract begins at the start of the 2026-27 season.

He finished the season with five goals and a career-high 25 points while logging 19 minutes. Fehervary also played a crucial role in the Capitals’ penalty kill by finishing with 245 short-handed minutes for a penalty kill that was fifth in the NHL with an 82% success rate.

Securing the 25-year-old Fehervary to a long-term deal means the Capitals now have seven players who have more than three years remaining on their current contracts.

It also means the Capitals front office has one less decision to make ahead of what is expected to be an active offseason in 2026 that will see the club have what PuckPedia projects to be $39.25 million in cap space.

That’s also the same offseason in which captain and NHL all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin‘s contract will come off their books along with that of defenseman John Carlson.

But until then, the Capitals have their entire top-six defensive unit under contract as they seek to improve upon a 2024-25 season that saw them finish atop the Metropolitan Division with 111 points before they lost in the Eastern Conference semifinal to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.

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