Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [34]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [34]

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” , are the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 85:6. Surely this needs to be the prayer of every godly man or woman who longs for the glory of God to be seen among His people. Jesus said He had come to give us life, and give it to the full. Yet so many Christians today appear to be quite happy to go around half empty, living their daily lives with no real care for the level of their spiritual petrol tanks. If we are ever to see once again an awakening of our nation to the reality of God’s power, [grace and holiness,] then we must begin by earnestly emulating the Psalmist in his prayer for our own revival.  [We must desire God's revival in our own hearts, and in our own local church fellowships first of all.]  Only then can we expect the fullness of which our Lord spoke, and only then can we expect it to spread like wildfire to others.

Are you praying for revival? Are you prepared to use the words of the Psalmist and to beseech God for His awakening and reviving touch? Don’t we long for the day when God’s people can rejoice in Him, as the Psalmist says? We want the happiness, the joy, the rejoicing with a carefree heart, but this fullness that the Lord Jesus spoke of requires first that we go to Him in earnest prayer for the revival of our souls. Every man or woman God has ever used has been a person of prayer. They have learned to agonize, to pour out their souls before the Lord, and to listen to Him as He responds. God’s reply may entail paying a price. There is always a price to pay for revival. It may be the sacrifice of time to spend more in prayer; it may be the sacrifice of certain things or habits or entertainments; it may be meeting together with certain people who God leads you to minister with; it may entail repentance of some sin, or the apology to someone you know you have harmed.

Recently, as I prayed for revival in my own life, the Holy Spirit lead me to write a letter to a Christian brother – it was a letter that should have been written many years ago. I could not feel peace until I got this done. As we begin praying for revival, the Lord will no doubt show us that there is a lot of clutter in our lives that stops Him from using us fully to His glory. It’s here where our revival has to start. And it is God’s glory that is at the heart of the matter, not our own often petty, selfish agendas. Our Lord tells us clearly to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto us”. If we seek [God's glory first and foremost, if we seek] a personal revival in order that our lives should be honouring to Him, then God will see to it that our hearts are filled with joy, and that all things needed are given to us day by day.

“Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee”, is the Psalmist’s heartfelt prayer. Let’s make it our own, and ask Him to help us to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit as He reveals to us the steps we need to take. I do trust these thoughts can help you to understand how to direct your own prayers for revival.