Revival – 2 Chronicles 7:14
And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Revival within our nation would seem like an unattainable dream were it not for the hope that lives within us.
Surely, all of the evidence points against us since every day some court ruling or corporate decision furthers the precipitous decline in our national morality and dependence on God. What was unthinkable, unmentionable, a few years ago, has become the norm, as acceptable to Christians as to non-Christians. As our society sheds that which is sacred in God’s sight, embracing secularism and every kind of impurity, we would despair but for the Lord’s promise to respond to the fervent prayers offered by those who would kneel before Him with earnest and repentant hearts.
Revival is possible if Christians
will seek it. If collectively, we who
call ourselves by the Lord’s name would go before Him in faith to plead for our
nation, we would see a profound work in our land. For as we humble ourselves and seek
soul-changing holiness, joining in collective prayer to petition our
all-powerful God for revival, He will not only hear and receive our prayers,[1] but also He will answer them. As we cleanse our hands and circumcise our
hearts, laying aside the encumbrances that entangle us,[2] He will draw near to us and revive us.[3]
In God’s compassion and grace, He has not turned away from our nation though we
have sunk low. Praise God, for as a
society, we are not yet lost. We could
yet see the flames of revival sweep across our land if the Lord’s people would
faithfully pray to Him for a mighty work of renewal and restoration,[4] understanding that He is favorably disposed to help those
who lay their burdens before Him.
Therefore, out of your desire for
the Lord’s good favor upon our nation, consecrate yourself and join with others
in asking Him to rain mercy and graciousness down upon us. Call upon the name of Jesus Christ, above
whom there is no other, and bow in humility as you pray. Follow Daniel’s example by confessing and repenting
of your own sins along with those of our nation,[5] so our faithful God will attend to your pleas for our
country. Believe that He will hear the
cry of His servants offered in hope and faith, and expect a mighty outpouring
of His grace as He revives us, forgives us our sins, and heals our land.[6]
[1] Psalm 6:9
[2] Hebrews 12:1
[3] James 4:8
[4] Ezra 8:22-23; 2 Chronicles 7:15
[5] Daniel 9:20
[6] 2 Chronicles 6:19,21
