Pray for Revival
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13
We see the love of believers growing cold today. We are in such need of revival! Faith has become an accessory, something to add to your ‘look’ or trot out when convenient. The standards of the world seem to take on more importance than the authority of Scripture. And believers are compromising on so many issues. Authentic Christianity is out of style. And Satan is rejoicing.
We are in the last days. Satan will do everything in his power to thwart the Lord’s authority and dominion…and that includes deluding believers into complacency, indifference, and a disdain for the righteousness of God.
A legacy of faith doesn’t guarantee the faith will continue through the next generation. Our strong faith doesn’t guarantee the faith of our sons and daughters. They must choose for themselves, and they must pursue God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength! We’re seeing a generation move away from the Lord to pursue things of this world.
Friends, it is really important that we pray for our sons and daughters to stand firm. Revelation, chapter 3 speaks to the church in Laodicea, saying,
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”” Revelation 3:14-19
How the church today has become like Laodicea! Our worship is emotional, but lacks Biblical truth. Our praise is directed toward the blessing, not the One who blesses. We’ve become soft and permissive. We stand on ‘principle’ but those principles are of the world, not of Scripture. We want Jesus to appeal to the masses so we create a Jesus in our own image. We’ve allowed the world to creep in until we look so much like it others have a hard time distinguishing any difference. I fear many have become like those lukewarm believers Paul spoke about in 2 Timothy, having a form of godliness, but denying its power (2 Tim. 3:5).
Do our sons and daughters have a hunger to stand before the Throne of God and worship with other saints? (Do we?) Is there a longing for heaven that eclipses what this world offers? Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness or is it for the approval and applause of the world? Do we recognize the signs of the times and are we preparing ourselves spiritually? As parents and mentors, we need to do a serious check of our own hearts and motives, and then we need to pray with fervor that God will captivate the hearts of our sons and daughters.
We need revival and we need it soon! We need to see believers who are sold out for Christ, willing to give up everything this world offers because they know, without a doubt, that the temporary things here will fade and the eternal hope and glory is what we are made for, what we crave. We need strong testimonies, a willingness to endure, and a confidence in the hope of Jesus, our high priest, our Lord and Savior. We need to stop the drift and anchor ourselves in Christ and the hope of heaven. We need boldness in sharing the gospel and an urgency because the days are short. The end is near. Will we be ready to stand before the Throne? Will our sons and daughters stand with us?
What does it mean to pray for revival?
Pray that hearts are softened toward Jesus, convicted with sin and desirous of surrender to the Lord and His ways.
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.“ Ezekiel 11:19
Pray that perspectives turn from this world to eternity
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
Pray that there is a burden for the lost
“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:22-23
Pray that there is discernment to know what is of the enemy and how to avoid deception
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
This means we pray for our sons and daughters to grow in knowledge- epignosis [Greek]: precise and correct knowledge, full discernment. (1)
We must pray for depth of insight- the discernment based on knowledge, so our children can avoid deception. This includes the ability to examine, test, and prove what is right. They cannot do that unless they know what is right. All of this comes with an intimate and thorough knowledge of the Word of God. And it produces the fruit of righteousness which will protect them for the Day of the Lord.
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C.S, Lewis
“Heavenly Father, I come before you in Jesus name, the name before which every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. I pray for (name). Protect their soul. Count them worthy to escape everything coming on this earth. Lord, You knew, before this earth was created, who would surrender their heart and life to You and who would not. I pray that (name) would have a softened heart toward You. Holy Spirit do a work in them and draw them into fellowship with You. I pray that they would embrace Jesus’ death and resurrection as their hope of forgiveness, redemption, and sanctification. The only hope of heaven is through Jesus. I pray that (name) would set their heart and mind on things above. Do not let them be distracted or enamored with things of this world that will fade and pass away. Help them to avoid deception. Protect them from the charm and glitter of fame, influence, wealth, and success. Help them to understand that true success is found in following Jesus. True fame is being a child of the King. Real influence is sharing the gospel with a lost world. Give them a tender heart for those who need Jesus - those image-bearers who don’t know the Lord. Burden my (son, daughter) with the plight of the lost. Compel them to live out their faith in ways that would make others want the peace, hope, and joy they have. Lord, help (name) to grow in precise and correct knowledge of You and Your Word. Give them discernment so they would not be deceived. I pray they would be sensitive to Your Spirit leading, guiding, and warning them. Lord, let them bear fruit that tells of the righteousness that comes from You. Please, I pray that their relationship with Jesus would be of infinite importance, not a trifle or accessory to a life that is anchored in this world. I pray for a powerful revival in their life, in the church, in believers across the world. Help us to live boldly for Jesus and share the salvation that can only be found in Him. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing!
G1922 - epignōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1922/niv/mgnt/0-1/