If you’re near the Cleveland, MS area, we have just the thing for you! FBC Cleveland is hosting a revival next week, and YOU are invited!
re·viv·al (r
-v
v
l)n.
a. The act or an instance of reviving.b. The condition of being revived.c. A restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor after a period of obscurity or quiescence.d. A time of reawakened interest in religion.e. A meeting or series of meetings for the purpose of reawakening religious faith, often characterized by impassioned preaching and public testimony.
For almost a year, we have been praying for this very thing. For Revival – a time of reawakened faith and vigor after a period of spiritual obscurity. For ourselves individually. For our homes and families. For our church. And for our community. And now, it is here. God has been at work in our church and community. But true revival and change comes when He works in every individual person. That’s what I know that He has planned for any who will meet with Him next week.
Have you ever heard this quote by the 1800’s evangelist, Gipsy Smith ?
“If you want to see revival, go into your prayer closet, take an imaginary piece of chalk and draw a circle around yourself, then pray until revival comes first to the person in that circle—until it comes to you.”
This is what Nancy Leigh DeMoss had to say about this kind of “chalk revival”:
This piece of chalk represents a turning point, a moment of surrender, a change of heart. It marks the difference between those who would pray, “Lord, change them” and those with the humility to plead, “Lord, change me!”
It is a piece of chalk with which we kneel and draw a circle around ourselves and then look to heaven expectantly and pray, “Lord God, send revival, and begin it right here in this circle!”
With all of our hearts, we are praying for revival in the church (the restoration of God’s glory) and for spiritual awakening among the lost (the rapid expansion of His kingdom). Could it be that you have a part to play in setting the stage for such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Could it be that God wants to use your life, your obedience, and your prayers? Are you willing?
Begin with humility.
Revival never comes to proud hearts, or to those who refuse God’s help. Admitting our need for Him and our desperate hopelessness is part of what the Bible calls having a “broken spirit” (Psalm 51:17). This attitude of brokenness before the Lord is absolutely a prerequisite for His work to begin. Forsake self-sufficiency, and renew your absolute trust in God. Pray through James 4:6-10.
Get honest about your sin.
God cannot bless with His presence those who are holding onto their sin. Open your heart to the probing of the Holy Spirit; let Him reveal what aspects of your life need to change and what sins need to be confessed. Renounce all of your sins; hold none of them back. Let God’s cleansing power forgive, restore, and transform you. Pray through Isaiah 59:2; Psalm 51; and 1 John 1:9.
Repent!
Repentance means turning from everything I know to be sin today and anything God may show me to be sinful in the future. In other words, repentance is a thorough and complete change of mind about the sin in my life; and it is a full surrender to Jesus Christ as the Lord of my decisions, thoughts, behaviors, and priorities. Repentance requires that I make a clean break with sin; that I rid my life of sinful influence and instead pursue absolute, uncompromised purity in the power of the Holy Spirit. Begin by uprooting the sin God has brought to your mind first. Pray through Ezekiel 18:30-32; Psalm 139:23-24; and Acts 26:20.
Embrace and extend forgiveness.
Revival involves more than dealing with our sin before God; we must also clear our accounts on earth. Clear your own conscience by seeking forgiveness from everyone you have offended, and make restitution wherever possible. Then extend free forgiveness to anyone who has wronged you, as difficult as that may be. Jesus commands that we forgive! When we do, we will see His freedom and power released in our lives. Pray through Acts 24:16; Matthew 6:14-15; and Ephesians 4:31-32.
Align your life with God’s Word.
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16); immerse yourself in the Scriptures. Study the character of God; seek His face. Consider carefully the commands of Christ; follow in His steps. Heed the warnings the Bible issues. Submit to God as your King, and love Him as your Father. His law is perfect and will revive your soul. Pray through Psalm 119.
Pray fervently for revival.
Demonstrate your desperation and desire for revival to come—plead, fast, grieve, seek, pray! Pray for your church, your city, your nation; pray alone, pray with others. Let your heart be broken for the things that break God’s heart. Pray for repentance, restoration, forgiveness, truth, and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Pray through Isaiah 64 and Joel 2:12-32.
However far from God you have strayed, however much sin and bitterness have accumulated in your heart, we believe that revival is just as possible as the sun rising tomorrow morning, so long as God is on His throne. And we believe that no one is outside the reach of His grace, power, love, forgiveness, and truth. Simply take up your own piece of chalk and draw a circle on the ground; step into it, and pray with passion, “Lord, send revival, and let it begin in me!”
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Revive our Hearts
I came upon seven powerful & life-altering things to pray for our own selves as we seek a revival that begins with us:
1. A revitalization of my spiritual life and also of this church and our nation—2 Chron. 7:14-15; Is. 6:1-8; 57:15
2. A repentance from sin—secret sins—sins that wrap around my feet and trip me up; along with confession of sin to others; restitution for sin; and the granting of forgiveness to others when appropriate—Heb. 12:1; James 5:16; Luke 15:21; 19:1-10
3. A restoration of my love for and study of the Word—Ps. 119:97-106; 2 Tim. 2:15
4. A release of the Holy Spirit to give me empowerment for service and a compassion for lost people—Eph. 5:18-21; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Matt. 9:36.
5. A return to my first love, to love God and family more than ever before—Rev. 2:4; Mal. 4:5-6
6. A remembrance and thanksgiving for all He has done for me—Rom. 1:21; Eph. 5:4; Heb. 12:28
7. A reshaping of my praise and worship so I truly worship with my whole heart, body and life—Ps. 95:6; 100; Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:18-21; Matt. 5:16; James 5:13
By Bob Stone of EagleFlight.org
Will you join me in praying these things for yourselves? Then for your family, church, & community?
Will you join us in a revival this week? You will be ever so welcomed!
Seeking a heart revival…
Jennifer
