Prayer Must Precede Revival

“For this what the high and loft One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also within him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite’” (Isaiah 57:15, NIV).

“Oh! Men and brethren, what would this heart feel if I could but believe that there were some among you who would pray for revival – men whose faith is large enough, and their love fiery enough to lead them from this moment to exercise unceasing intercessions that God would appear among us and do wondrous things here, as in the times of former generations.” ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Today, I am soundly in agreement with that great “Prince of Preachers”, Charles H. Spurgeon, that the desire of our hearts must be a burning for revival that is only possible when we commit ourselves to prayer. Revival, not as a series of services over a specified period of time, but rather an awakening that transforms people and manifests the power of God in such a way that we know God moves mightily upon His people. As for the praying, I’m not referring here to just any old kind of prayer, but a passionate, longing, desperate intercession for revival and a crying out for the presence of God to be experienced afresh and anew.

I am a veteran of conferences that have discussed “revival” and have been blessed to proclaim the Word at a number of revival meetings, but what I’m sharing here is more than a meeting, it’s a manifestation; more than a time of services, it’s a transformation of souls; more than a planned platform, it’s a powerful presence. Do you long for that? Have you ever experienced that?

Friends, true revival, an awakening of our spirits is possible, but not without prayer. A Word from the Lord may light a fire of desire for revival, but by itself it cannot bring revival. Revival is heaven sent, and it comes in response to the prayers of God’s people. This type of prayer and longing for revival can make life messy; God will invade our space, interfere with plans, and bring us together with like-minded people that it may not be convenient for us to meet with – but, oh God, send that kind of revival and rearrange us!

Allow me to encourage you today to find others to join you as you intercede for revival. You will be more consistent and better focused if a small group can gather to pray for God to manifest His presence among His people. If you do not know others with this as an interest, then begin to pray on your own, but also ask the Lord to bring others to you to join with you as you pray for revival. I openly invite you to contact me if you feel alone in your desire for revival because the burden is heavy in my spirit and I will gladly agree with you in prayer. Time is short and eternal destinies hang in the balance – not just those of the unchurched but also of those who attend church every week but have not truly encountered the life altering power of God. The main reason we should be praying about revival is that we are anxiously expectant to see God’s name vindicated and His glory manifested. We should be excited to see something happen that will impact all people, and cause them to stop and think again. Now is the time; today is the day; will you begin to pray?

Pray with Me:

Father, I desire to see all your power, all your authority, all your gifts, and all your presence manifested in my life and in the life of this community. Stir within me the longing for awakening and join me with others who have this same desire. I am tired of going through the motions and doing my brand of church. I long for revival fire to awaken within me so that I can be a part of the church you gave birth to in Jerusalem. Send revival and begin it in me. Search me, show me, send me. Purge me, purify me, and prepare me. Amen.