Revive Us Again

We praise Thee, O God for the Son of Thy love
For Jesus Who died and is now gone above
 
Hallelujah, Thine the glory
Hallelujah, amen
Hallelujah, Thine the glory
Revive us again

Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above  
_{by William P Mackay, 1863}

What comes to mind when you hear the word “revival”?

Recently when I asked my friends online this question, they gave a variety of answers with some common threads.

• Spiritual awakening of the Church
• Repentance
• Return to God
• Back to Life
• Fresh start
• Refreshed / renewed
• Hearts on fire for God
• Reformation
• Lives changed / transformed
• God in our hearts
• Jesus is coming
• Turn back to God

Which of these tug at your heart?

And yes, several recalled the old tents and loud preachers with “bulging temple veins” and Bibles banging on the pulpit. I recall those hot summer night tent meetings also. Maybe I should have rephrased the question to something along the lines of “have you ever actually experienced a spiritual revival?” Have you?

I have. But it wasn’t in a big white tent. It wasn’t even at a “revival” meeting. I was sitting in a pew though...finally.

God had been calling me back to Him and back to the church—a specific church in fact—but I hesitated. I made excuses. I wanted to be in control. I was prideful.

One Sunday morning I snuck into a church service after it had already begun. I chose a seat alone in the back. The worship leader began singing. We all stood. And then my tears began to flow. Song after song, my cracking voice was accompanied by tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.

I don’t even recall the songs but I most definitely remember how my heart felt as God began chiseling away at the prideful stone which was encasing the heart He so desperately wanted to reach.

The pastor, whom I had never heard before, began preaching and I don’t remember any of those words or scriptures either. But I remember feeling like I had finally made it home. Every word the pastor spoke was infused with love. Love for God, love for His Word and love for His people.

Silently, I kept telling God I was sorry, and asking for forgiveness. Nothing more detailed than that. It was as if He knew, the Holy Spirit was interceding for me and God met me right there.

I felt my heart beating again.

I don’t think anyone will disagree that our churches are in deep need of revival. Our country needs revival. Our families need revival.

Before there can be a revival in our country, there must be a revival in the church. And before there can be a revival in the church, there must be a revival in our own hearts.

Revival starts with you. It starts with me.

It starts with realizing God wants to revive each of us personally.

In 1917, preacher and evangelist Dr. RA Torry gave his prescription for a revival, “Let a few of God’s people, they don’t need to be many, get thoroughly right with God themselves—the rest will count for nothing unless you start right there; then let them band themselves together to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down. Then let them put themselves at God’s disposal to use them as he sees fit. That will bring a revival to any church, any community.”

In short,
1. Get right with God, repent
2. Join together with other Christians and pray for revival
3. Make yourself available to God, especially in winning souls.

Soul Friends, will you join me in seeking God for revival?

Will you join me at the feet of God, offering repentance and asking Him to revive our hearts?

Will you join me on our knees in prayer calling upon God to send revival within our churches?

Will you make yourself available to God to be used as He wills in this time of spiritual warfare?

Lord, we are living in such a time that we chase after all manner of things to fill our empty places. But these things do not fulfill nor add life because they are not You. Forgive us for our prideful sin. Father You tell us to seek You out and You will restore our souls. Thank You Lord for answering our pleas. Revive us again! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings Soul Friends,

Read each of the following Scriptures considering the provided journaling prompts, then talk with God about bringing revival into your own life.

• “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” Isaiah 57:15
• Ask God to reveal to you any areas of pride which may be preventing God from dwelling in your heart.
  
  
• “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
• Consider all that holds a place of importance in your heart, talk to God about anything He would like for you to reprioritized in your life.
  
  
• “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
• Is there something you are holding on to within your heart or by your hands which needs to be cleansed in order to restore your relationship with God?
  
  
• “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
• Might there need to be a course correction in your life to bring your plans or goals into alignment with God's plans for you?

You might also enjoy this blog post --> "What Is Revival?"

Today's blog post is an excerpt from "Revive Us Again" A Soul Inspired Bible Study companion to our Prayer Journal, "Praying For Revival."

Click on the image below to access all of our Praying For Revival resources. 

Jana Kennedy Spicer is a wife, mom and Nana.  A born and raised Texas-girl who loves boots, sunflowers, and sweet tea.  She has a heart for studying God's Word and is passionate about encouraging women to do the same.  Connect with Jana at SweetToTheSoul.com