Posted by 90 Days of Prayer – Day Four
Psalm 85:6-7
“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.”
This Psalm begins by recounting God’s mercy in showing favor to the nation, by forgiving and restoring His people in the past. Will not God do it again? Surely He hasn’t changed, He hasn’t forgotten His people…Has He? There still remained so much that was left undone, yet the people began to stray as they had before. The Psalmist continues to plead with God to once again restore the nation and forgive His people. We come to verse six, to discover that the Psalmist believes that God has not changed, so he prays for a revival among God’s people.
Revival is For the Asking
I believe that God is the same today as He was when this Psalm was written. Any believing person, family, church, community, or nation can have revival if they would cry out to God for it, follow His simple instructions concerning it, and He’ll respond with mercy and forgiveness. Throughout history the way to revival has always been the same; the Church in unity, through heartfelt fervent prayer together, calling on the ever-present God among His people, and doing what the Scriptures instruct concerning their situation, God, whose ears are always attentive to the cry of His people, will hear and answer according to His Word. I believe it is no different for us today.
Whenever the Church awakens to the fact that we have drifted from God’s purpose on earth, and returns to following those gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit, and to the lifestyle of walking with God in true holiness; that renewed life and enthusiasm from above will always come pouring into our lives as before. The Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of prayer will begin to direct us in seeking God, showing us what to pray for and what needs to change in our lives and in the life of His Church.
For the Welfare of the Cities
When we the Church, as God’s family commits to continue praying regularly for Christ to be exalted, and for His will (not ours) to be done on the earth as it is in heaven, His anointing will fall like rain. He will again open the Word of God to us with new insight. As we work on developing a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, He will also grant us a keen sense of discernment in all areas of life.
As our confidence in Him grows, the gifts of the Spirit will begin to operate through us as well. Revival in His Church and an awakening for the welfare of the cities is always a priority with God. His Church is still the City on the hill and the light in the darkness. We the Church are God’s prophetic voice of reason to a wayward society.
Begin now to call on God to fill you afresh today, reminding Him of His great mercy and grace toward His people. Ask for His forgiveness for your church and yourself, seek Him for direction and wisdom. Let the Church wait on Him with thanksgiving worshiping Him in the splendor of His holiness until His presence comes upon you. The revival must begin within us before an awakening can happen in our cities. Let your constant prayer be Lord Revive us again! Be Persistent and Be Encouraged! -JSP