Question

Hello Rabbi,
I saw the discussion regarding asking for rain: https://mikyab.net/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%AA%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%92%D7%97%D7%94
I am currently studying tractate Ta’anit, and I would be glad to know how the Rabbi understands these passages.
It seems that when the Sages sought to declare a fast, it was clear to them that this was a request for God to “intervene,” so to speak—at least based on the stories about Honi the Circle-Maker and Abba Hilkiyah, etc.
This is difficult, because why assume that back then the weather was not conducted just as it is today—that is, chaotically? Even so, from the passages it seems that the connection was direct and causal.
Was it, seemingly, the case that in that period the Holy One, blessed be He, “had not changed policy” (as the Rabbi wrote in the link above)?

Thank you, and happy holidays.