On May 1st our country will be recognizing the “National Day of Prayer”. Beyond lifting up a number of different areas in our society, our prayers, not just on that one day, but every day, should be that America experiences a spiritual revival. We certainly need that, but we may be unsure of just what that might require. I think a key is found in II Chronicles 7:14 where the Lord says, “If my people (Revival has to start with believers) 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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
David Egner shares: It was one of those split-second exchanges between a 16-year-old girl
and her father, but it spoke volumes. While he was out of town, she had broken her curfew
and stayed out too late with her boyfriend. Now she had to talk to dad about it. Embarrassed and afraid, she sat quietly looking down at her hands in her lap while the discussion went on. She apologized and they decided on a suitable discipline.
“Look at me,” Dad said. She didn’t want to, but she did. Instead of a hard look of displeasure, she saw tears and a look of deep love. She threw her arms around him, and they both knew that everything would be all right between them.
To keep everything right between us and our heavenly Father, we have to seek His face. We may feel guilt, disappointment, anger, or hurt toward God. But that is when we must respond to His invitation to look to Him—especially if fellowship has been broken. Our greatest concern should be the fear of losing a close relationship with Him. Our greatest delight should be seeing His face… through the wonderful privilege of prayer.
Prayer truly can be an awesome thing. Sheridan Voysey has shared how while the gospel
came to Aurukun (a small town in northern Australia) a century ago, eye-for-eye retribution sometimes remained. In 2015, clan tensions grew, and when a murder happened, payback required someone from the offender’s family to die in return. But something remarkable happened… The people of Aurukun started seeking God in prayer. Repentance followed, then mass baptisms, as revival began sweeping the town. People were so joyful they danced in the streets, and instead of enacting payback, the family of the murdered man forgave the offending clan. Soon 1,000 people were in church each Sunday—in a town of just 1,300!
As the people of Aurukun found, revival brings joy and reconciliation to a town. How our
own cities- including Greenville and Darke County- need such transformation! While there’s no “formula” for revival as it’s God’s work, done in His time, history shows prayer precedes it. Let me encourage you to join me in following the words of II Chronicles 7:14 by 1) humbling yourself before God, 2) pray, seeking His face and 3) turn from any sinfulness in your life- and just see as He hears, extends His forgiveness and starts bringing healing to our land, through people like you!
In His Service, Jim
Scripture Spotlight (if it fits!) ““If 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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”