Revival Prayer Pointers

81 through 90

Week 81: Do you remember the question the disciples asked Jesus when He told them one of them would betray Him?  All of them asked “Is it I, Lord?”  Multiple places in Scripture teach us the value of self-examination under the direction of God’s Spirit.  It might be a good time for each of us to ask a question similar to the disciples.  “Is it I, Lord who hinders revival?”  Let’s ask the question and listen for the answer.  Then we can each pray in light of the answer we receive. 

Week 82: In Prayer Meeting last Wednesday we were confronted with this question:  “Is there anything you know of that hinders your relationship with God?”  That may be the key question for each of us who hunger for revival and renewal.  So, let’s go back to Psalm 139:23&24.  Let’s ask God to search our hearts and show us if there is anything in our lives that may hinder His work in our lives.

Week 83: Jesus instructs us to “take up [the] cross and follow [Him].”  At its simplest, this means that we are to identify with Jesus in every possible way, even when it’s hard.  It involves denying ourselves and our agendas and pursuing Jesus and His agenda.  Think about the link between personal surrender to Jesus’ agenda and His renewing, reviving work in our lives.  May God’s Spirit reveal to us for whom we really live as we pray for revival this week!

Week 84: To pursue revival is to wrestle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  (Eph. 6:12)  The enemy of our souls, Satan, does not want to see revival break out in our lives or our church.  Don’t forget, however, that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John4:4)  When you pray for revival this week, remember Who is on your side!

Week 85: Paul, the apostle, talks about Israel’s rebellion against God in Acts 8:37-43.  He says “. . . in their hearts they turned back to Egypt . . . .”  Inherent in revival/renewal is the idea of turning from something and to something.  Before we pray for revival this week, let’s think about “turning.”  Have we turned to something that hinders revival?  Are we willing to turn to the things that will encourage revival?  After a time of self-examination, let’ cry out to God for His renewing work in us.

Week 86: The psalmist reminds us of the importance thirsting after God.  (Ps. 63:1&2)  God was the object of his thirsting because he longed to see God’s power and glory.  Is that not what we long for at FBC?  Don’t we want to see God glorified and His power displayed in our lives?  Perhaps before we pray we need to evaluate our thirst level.  Let’s allow God to make us thirstier for Him than anything else in our lives.  Then we can pray honestly for revival and renewal.

Week 87: If there is one key to the onset of revival, it may be humility.  God’s Word speaks often of humility; it is a key biblical virtue.  The Apostle James says this, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)  It may do us all well to ask God to show us the level of our humility.  We know that God resists the proud, and we are prone to pride as fallen humans.  Let’s pray for God’s gracious, humbling work in our lives and our church.

Week 88: Psalm 143:11 tells us of David’s cry for revival.  Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake!  For your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.”  We hear the passion of a needy heart in those words.  Perhaps they should be our words.  Consider them before you pray for personal and church-wide revival this week.

Week 89: Part of experiencing genuine revival is focus.  Before praying this week, let’s take some time to consider Psalm 141:8, But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute.  Is God the focus of our thinking?  Do we depend upon Him to renew our souls?  Perhaps a prayer for renewed focus should be the content of our conversation with God this week.

Week 90: “It’s always too soon to quit,” is a saying I’ve heard most of my life.  When it comes to praying for revival in our lives and in our church, the saying is true!  The Revival Prayer Initiative is now in its 90th week.  It is still too soon to quit!  Allow God’s Spirit to encourage your prayer effort this week by meditating on Galatians 6:9.  Do not lose heart!  The answer to our praying may be closer than you think.