A prayer for revival

Deuteronomy 3; Psalm 85; Isaiah 31; Revelation 1

The church is in a precarious time. We have a God-given mandate to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth yet many segments of the church have failed. Even those whose goals match God’s goals are severely persecuted and some simply give up or go into hiding. I know this generalizes the problems, yet many agree that we need restoration and a return to our mandate.

Isaiah warned God’s people in his day and continues to do so. He says:

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! And yet he is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words but will arise against the house of the evildoers and against the helpers of those who work iniquity. The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together. (Isaiah 31:1–3)

Egypt suggests bondage, slavery to sin — a life of doing my own thing and not relying on God. God says those who do that, even though their abilities may seem very strong, will find themselves in trouble. The biggest problem is when I do things “the way I’ve always done them” I’m often not aware that I’ve slipped away from listening to and following the Lord. It isn’t that my way is overtly bad or stands out as rebellion but that I have not consulted the Lord who rules the world. In the same way, when the church becomes a social club, or anything other than what God intended, we need revival.

If I have ever thought or said that I don’t know how to pray for revival, Lord forgive me. The instruction is in Your Word. This psalm is my prayer:

Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. (Psalm 85:1–13)

In the last book of the Bible, Jesus reveals Himself and future events to the Apostle John who was exiled for his faith. John wrote this Revelation to the church then and to the church today. He pointed us to this hope:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:4–8)

APPLY: No one knows when Jesus will return. All I know is that I’d rather He not find me doing my own thing, messing around with stuff that has no eternal value, and ignoring His voice, replacing obedience with frivolity. He is the Lord God, the Almighty who rules over all. May I listen and obey, be part of what He wants done rather than opt for anything else. Jesus, enable me to glorify You today.