2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

During this month of prayer and fasting we have discussed refreshed, renewed and recharged.

Refreshed: give new strength or energy to; reinvigorate. God expects us to stay connected to him. To turn to him in times of trouble. To ask him for what we need.

Renewed: having been resumed, re-established, or revived. To give fresh life or strength to; revive. To replace (something that is broken or worn out). To be changed into something new and different, something better. That really sums up what renewal in Christ means in that we were remade into something better.

Recharged: restore our charge to by reconnecting to our source – God. To be refilled. To return to a normal state of mind or strength after a period of physical or mental exertion. A spiritual recharge (reconnecting back to God) allows us to get direction and instruction directly from God.

Now we are going to talk about revival.

By definition revival is a reawakening of religious intense and passionate feeling. A restoration to bodily or mental effort, energy, and enthusiasm.

I would define spiritual revival as to breathe life back into something that was dead or nearly dead. To quicken or make alive again. To restore zeal and passion for God and the work of God.

Some of my fondest memories are of different revival services that I have attended through the years. It was blessing to witness the powerful word of God and the move of God. To see people rejoicing, repenting, recommitting their lives back to God. Most importantly, to see the people excited once again to get back in place and operate in the spirit to accomplish the will of God.

Yes, there is nothing like revival.

Jonah 3:1-10, is a great example of the power of revival. We know the story of Jonah and how he ran from the call of God. But God had a plan- a great fish. He knew how to get Jonah in the place he needed him to be to accomplish his will. When Jonah yielded to God and preached to Nineveh, they repented and began to pursue God. There was an awesome revival in Nineveh.

Once received, the goal then becomes to keep the spirit of the revival. Once we have been revived, we must maintain that sense of intense urgency to do the will of God. I know this sounds like a constant state of high alert. And in a way it is. We are to be ever vigilant because our enemy is always on alert seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We cannot afford to forget who we are. We cannot forget the people who are depending upon us to be in our place.

Why spiritual revival?

1. Inspiration – the message of the cross of Christ reveals God’s love for humanity. Inspires believers follow him whole heartedly.

2. A sense of purpose – the love of God illuminates the call on the believer’s life. It propels us into action.

3. Rededication – in those times when we seem to have lost our way, revival sets our feet back on a solid foundation. It clears our mind allowing us to hear God. Just as he did with Jonah, God moves us to where we need to be.

Maintaining revival takes work. We must remain faithful and focused. We cannot stay down when we stumble. We have to forgive ourselves, shake the dust off, and get back in line. This is maturity.

It is never too late for revival.

Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Do not let the enemy lie to you and tell you it is too late. That God won’t forgive you for all the wrong you have done. That there is no good left in you. These are lies designed to keep you where you are. The enemy is only lying to you because he sees God is pulling you away from him.

Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Revival is to reawaken and restore. God wants to reawaken that measure of faith that is dealt to everyone. He wants to restore us to the place we lost when Adam failed in the Garden of Eden. God wants to reconcile us back to himself.

Revival is here and it is waiting for you.

2 Chronicles 7:14, tells us of God’s assurance to those who seek to be revived. But God does have requirements

1. Be humble – be willing to recognize we are nothing without him.

2. Pray – be willing to have open communication with God.

3. Seek his face – pursue his will for your life.

4. Turn form your way of doing things – be willing to give up your fleshy desires and schemes (your way do doing things). To exchange them for him and his ways.

It’s time to be revived and get in place. I invite you to pray this prayer of revival:

Father, we come before you in humble praise. Thanking you for your tender mercies that are new every morning. We ask for a spirit of revival to blow through our lives to clear out everything that is not like you. We pray revival for ourselves, our city, our country and the world. Turn our hearts back to you, oh God. Revive and renew our sense of purpose, so that we may do your will. Forgive us, oh God, and help us forgive ourselves. We thank you reviving us, in Jesus name, Amen!

As always, please email us for prayer or counseling at: otp.ministry1@gmail.com. We are here for you.

Have a blessed day.