"Since we have set aside some special days of prayer for rain during the past five years of drought and God has been pleased to answer these prayers by graciously sending widespread rains, we want to give Him special thanks," said Brain, inviting members of the public who do not normally attend church to join this time of thanksgiving.

"Thanksgiving is a bit like paying the rent to God who owns and sustains the universe," said the bishop of Armidale, located in the northern inland region of New South Wales. "If it is appropriate for us to thank each other for kindness shown, it is more so for us to thank God for every aspect of His goodness to us."

The New South Wales Government said December's heavy rainfall has significantly reduced the area of the state affected by drought, according to Australia's ABC News. Slightly more than half of New South Wales remains drought declared, a big improvement on last year's figures, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said recently.

"It's the best figures in the past 18 months with the drought declared areas of New South Wales down to 52 percent. Last year at this time it was up at 93 percent," he said.

"Certainly the rain has been good, refreshing our hearts, the land, and animals alike," said Brain. "The expression of gratitude to God not only is an expression of our dependence upon God but has been shown to increase our level of happiness."