In the summer, with California in the throes of a record-setting drought, the sign that popped up all over the farming areas in and around Manteca caught a bit of attention with the message: “Pray for Rain.”

Now, in response to the little bit of rain that poured down on the Golden State’s long-parched fields and reservoirs in December, the prayer has been joined by another placard with another sentiment: “Thanks for the Rain.”

Both signs are accompanied by a Biblical passage from Thessalonians in small print below the eye-catching messages.

“We pray for rain because we want rain, but we also have to be thankful for the rain that God gave us,” said local farmer David Roorda who is part of a small group of area farmers behind the placard-planting campaign.

Hopefully, by giving thanks to God, he will “bless us” with more rain, an optimistic Roorda said.

“But the biggest thing right now is that we need snow in the mountains to fill the reservoirs,” he said.

Last month’s downpour was a most welcome weather development, but did not come close to ending the drought that has gripped the state for years; nonetheless, every little raindrop counts, Roorda said.

With normal rain at this time of the year, the fields and orchards would find the ground wet three to four feet deep. These days, farmers are finding the ground wet at just 18 inches deep.

“We still need more rain, and we’re thankful for the rain that we got,” Roorda said.

The forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of rain today. After that, there is no rain expected until next month.

Forecasters believe California is now in its fourth year of drought. Even near normal rain and snow will create worse supply issues than last year due to the low level of reservoirs in the Sierra.