Christian Revival - Putting It All Together

"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 (2Chr. 7:14 KJV)."

I've heard this Bible verse quoted many times over the last few weeks. The formula for genuine Christian revival is contained within its words. Three items are listed:

• humility - if my people shall humble themselves
• pray - if my people will make intercession in prayer
• repentance - if my people will turn from their wicked ways

Humility is coming before the God broken in spirit. The broken spirit will lead us to see and acknowledge our shortcomings when we're in the holiness of God's presence. 

Godly sorrow for our failures and rejections of God's leading will compel us into genuine repentance and intercession. As we become reconciled to the One whose name is Holy, we can't help but feel the pain and sorrow of those we know and love who need reconciled to God.

We consider revival to be when countless sinners come to the knowledge and acceptance of God's saving grace. Look closely at whom this verse is directed. "If my people, who are called by my name." This is a direct statement to the church, not to sinners.

True, lasting, genuine revival must start with the believer. It must start with the Church, the body of Christ. We can choose to humble ourselves or eventually the mighty hand of God will do it for us.

We can choose to come to repentance, turning from the wicked ways of our flesh, or we will one day stand before God and plead for mercy.

How can we lay claim to so great a salvation in Jesus Christ and not take the time to share it with at least one person we know? How can we be so justified in the presence of God when we know friends and loved ones who need reconciled to God?

The key ingredient to bringing mighty Christian revival lies in intercessory prayer. The burden for the lost will grow when we begin interceding for them, standing in the gap between mercy and wrath. God turned Job's suffering when he interceded for his friends (Job 42:10).

2Chronicles 7:14 says God will hear us in our brokenness. He will respond to our genuine repentance. He will answer our intercessory prayers. He will forgive the sins of all and heal the land.

My friends, Christian revival is about the forgiveness of sin for all humanity. It's about the healing and restoration of all things God originally created humanity for. Genuine Christian revival is about Jesus Christ. "For God so loved, he gave... that whosoever believeth in him should not perish."

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12 KJV)."

Let's humble ourselves before God, turn from our iniquity, and begin interceding for the lost souls of our families, our friends, our communities, and our world. Let's begin to proclaim the name of Jesus to a world which is so desperately trying to abolish it. God must respond with genuine Christian revival. He promised it in 2Chronicles 7:14. God bless...