Prayer and the Christian Revival

We're praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a wave of major Christian revival. We speak of praying for revival. We continually request all to pray for revival. We're all in agreement we should be praying for Christian revival.

I must bring 2Chronicles 7:14 to the forefront today. "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 (KJV)."

This verse lays out three requirements for revival. We focused on humility yesterday. We 'll focus on prayer today. The verse tells us we're to pray and seek God's face to reap the reward of Him hearing, forgiving, and healing us.

What exactly is this verse speaking of when it says, "and pray, and seek my face?" We often interpret it to mean praying for revival. However, the word pray used here means to intercede. The word seek means in worship or prayer.

To intercede means to intervene between two parties to reconcile their differences. We are to pray for those who need reconciled to God. We tend to make prayer for revival all about us. Yes, we need revived. For this to happen, we are instructed to begin interceding in prayer for those living apart from God.

I have friends who aren't living for God. I have family and relatives who have need to be reconciled to God. I'm not alone in this situation. Everyone of us can identify with this. We need to begin intercessory prayer for these friend, family members, and relatives. Genuine Christian revival will be the resulting answer to these prayers.

Genuine repentance as a requirement for Christian revival will be the next topic of discussion. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments. They are much appreciated. God bless...