The third stanza of the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, says: “Daily I’m constrained to be!Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.” For the problems we face in the world, a spiritually revived church that allows Jesus Christ to be Lord is our only hope. For the church to fulfill its purpose, spiritual revival will counteract the tendency of “prone to leave the God I love.” In Ps. 79-80, you will learn the steps in praying for spiritual revival.
Worldly philosophy and sin infects every member of the church like food being eaten by animals. Each of us are helpless being poured out like water. We are a reproach and a disgrace to those around us. People scoff, mock and make fun of our condition. Even in our ruined and uncomfortable situation, God is jealous for His church. Pray that God pours out His wrath upon ungodly influences who have devastated the church (Ps. 79:1-7). Acknowledge the church’s unhealthy condition and ask God to defeat ungodly influences corrupting the church by confessing personal and corporate sin.
In spite of your sin as part of God’s church, humbly appeal to His compassion so it meets you in your desperate situation. Ask God to help, deliver and forgive your sins for His glory so the world will stop saying, “Where is their God?” Even as disciples of Christ, we are doomed to die unless God intervenes and defeats the evil forces of wickedness. In response, we make known and praise Him to all generations because of His saving power (Ps. 79:8-13). Call upon God’s compassion to forgive your sins and for His power to overcome your wickedness.
As the church goes, so go you. God leads you like a flock. Spiritual revival by turning to the Lord is the church’s great need. When God’s face shines on the church, every member will experience deliverance, including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being (Ps. 80:1-3). Ask God to respond to your prayers for revival, which affect every area of life.
Sin prevents the church from experiencing revival and freedom. Getting right with the Lord is the only way to stop the world from laughing at us. The church’s evil condition angers God. Tears become the engine for action (Ps. 80:4-7). Tears motivate and increase your passion to get right with God.
The symbol of God removing a vine (the church) from Egypt encourages everyone that He hears and acts on behalf of the church. He drives out nations and nurtures His church to grow organically by sinking deep roots into Him. God breaks down the hedges making us vulnerable to worldliness and evil, but also better positioned to be a godly influence (Ps. 80:8-13). Sink deep roots in God to incarnate and weave the gospel in the world.
Ask God to restore and care for His church. People become His instruments as they grow spiritually where they are planted. When people are spiritually revived, they will call upon God’s name, obtain His authority, accomplish His purposes and see people delivered in all aspects of their lives (Ps. 80:14-19). Above all, seek spiritual revival so God’s authority can reign in the church to transform society.
Notice the various steps toward spiritual revival:
1. Acknowledge the church’s unhealthy condition by confessing personal and corporate sin like Nehemiah (Neh. 1:6-7)
2. Call upon God’s compassion to forgive your sin and for His power to overcome wickedness (Neh. 1:5)
3. Ask God to respond to your prayers for revival, which affect every area of life (Neh. 1:11)
4. Weep and let your tears motivate and increase your passion to get right with God (Neh. 1:4)
5. Sink deep roots in God to incarnate and weave the gospel in the world (Neh. 1:8-9)
6. Seek spiritual revival so God’s authority can reign in the church to transform society (Neh. 1:10)
Begin following the above steps by praying for revival in your church and city with a small group of believers!
