Praying for Revival
How do we pray for revival in our personal lives, in our church, in our city and in our nation. What is revival? Revival is a heightened awareness of who God is that leads to a greater love for God, a greater hatred for sin, a greater desire to obey His revealed will, and a greater anguish for others to know Christ. In church history, revival is a term used to describe a broad scale move or work of the Spirit of God that awakens many Christians and churches from a state spiritual apathy to spiritual vitality.
Although it is true that there have been periods of time throughout church history where broad scale revival has taken place, we must not get the idea that personal revival is only something that God wants us to know periodically. The scripture is clear that God wants us to experience continuous revival. In other words, God wants us to be continually renewed in His love so that our love for God and the things of God remain vibrant and fervent. But scripture is also clear that although God has given us everything we need in Christ to live the abundant Christian life, His sheep are prone to wander—are prone to drift into a state of spiritual apathy, complacency and indifference. Thus, we must seek the Lord to revive us again—to awaken us afresh to His great love for us and the great hope we have in Christ.
In light of this, there are many scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that not only reveal our need to be revived, but that teach us how to pray for revival. For example, in Psalm 85:6 the Psalmist prayed: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” There are also many great prayers in the New Testament, especially in Paul’s letters that not only teach us that revival in a work of the Spirit, but also how to pray for the Spirit to work afresh in us so that we might experience revival. Among all the prayers of the Apostle Paul, his prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 for the church of Ephesus captures most fully the essence of revival, how to pray for revival and what ought to be the greatest longing of our hearts. He prayed:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
If we hope to see revival/awakening in our divided nation/city, it must begin with the house of God. And if revival is going to begin in the house of God, it must begin in the hearts of pastors who are called to care for the flock and in all of our hearts individually (Acts 20:28). Recent data collected from Barna’s pastor poll indicate that U.S pastors are currently in crisis and at risk of burnout. Notably, in 2021 alone, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of pastors who are thinking about quitting ministry entirely. 38% have thought about quitting full time ministry in the past year.
As you get ready to seek the face of God, notice how the Apostle John describes love as the distinguishing mark of one who knows God:
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:7-12
Pray for revival. But as the Lord’s model prayer teaches us, (Matthew 6:9) before making your requests to God, begin your prayers with reverence for God. Praise the Lord for how He loves you and how knowing His love has transformed your life.
REVERENCE (Identify and celebrate God’s praiseworthy attributes)
RESPONSE (Surrender to Him and His ways)
REQUEST (Ask the Spirit to guide your prayers over concerns, resources and relationships)
READINESS (Encouragement and strength for the spiritual battle)
May a deep knowledge of God and faith in His unchanging love empower us to overcome the world and shine brightly for Jesus.
In your service,
Pastor Marco
Although it is true that there have been periods of time throughout church history where broad scale revival has taken place, we must not get the idea that personal revival is only something that God wants us to know periodically. The scripture is clear that God wants us to experience continuous revival. In other words, God wants us to be continually renewed in His love so that our love for God and the things of God remain vibrant and fervent. But scripture is also clear that although God has given us everything we need in Christ to live the abundant Christian life, His sheep are prone to wander—are prone to drift into a state of spiritual apathy, complacency and indifference. Thus, we must seek the Lord to revive us again—to awaken us afresh to His great love for us and the great hope we have in Christ.
In light of this, there are many scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that not only reveal our need to be revived, but that teach us how to pray for revival. For example, in Psalm 85:6 the Psalmist prayed: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” There are also many great prayers in the New Testament, especially in Paul’s letters that not only teach us that revival in a work of the Spirit, but also how to pray for the Spirit to work afresh in us so that we might experience revival. Among all the prayers of the Apostle Paul, his prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 for the church of Ephesus captures most fully the essence of revival, how to pray for revival and what ought to be the greatest longing of our hearts. He prayed:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
This prayer by Paul for the church teaches us, among other things, that:
- Revival is a work of the Spirit of God that we must seek in prayer (Ephesians 3:16; Luke 11:13)
- Revival is intimacy with Christ (Ephesians 3:17; Revelation 2:1-4; John 15:7)
- Revival is a heighten awareness of the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18-19)
- Revival is to be controlled by the love of God—to take on His heart for the church and a lost world (Ephesians 3:19b; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
If we hope to see revival/awakening in our divided nation/city, it must begin with the house of God. And if revival is going to begin in the house of God, it must begin in the hearts of pastors who are called to care for the flock and in all of our hearts individually (Acts 20:28). Recent data collected from Barna’s pastor poll indicate that U.S pastors are currently in crisis and at risk of burnout. Notably, in 2021 alone, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of pastors who are thinking about quitting ministry entirely. 38% have thought about quitting full time ministry in the past year.
As you get ready to seek the face of God, notice how the Apostle John describes love as the distinguishing mark of one who knows God:
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:7-12
Pray for revival. But as the Lord’s model prayer teaches us, (Matthew 6:9) before making your requests to God, begin your prayers with reverence for God. Praise the Lord for how He loves you and how knowing His love has transformed your life.
REVERENCE (Identify and celebrate God’s praiseworthy attributes)
- Father I praise you because knowing you love me is the most satisfying and securing thing in my life.
- I praise you because your love __________ (will never fail).
- I praise you for assuring me of your _______ (restoring love) when I drift from you and in love you draw me back to you time and time again.
RESPONSE (Surrender to Him and His ways)
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:4
- I confess that I’ve drifted from you because ________ and I need revival. I surrender my heart to you so that _________.
REQUEST (Ask the Spirit to guide your prayers over concerns, resources and relationships)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
- Pray for Pastors to be revived by the Spirit to know the Love of God—to be given a fresh resolve, courage and conviction. Pray for them to become Acts 6:4 leaders committed to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
- Pray for individual Christians (yourself) to be revived by the Spirit in our inner being to know the love of God and make His love known in words, devotion to the church and actions.
- Pray for churches across our nation to be revived to know the love of God and make it known—to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- Pray for our nation—for its leaders, Supreme Court so that we might that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
READINESS (Encouragement and strength for the spiritual battle)
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21
May a deep knowledge of God and faith in His unchanging love empower us to overcome the world and shine brightly for Jesus.
In your service,
Pastor Marco