Extraordinary prayer, repentance, and humility. Another key element in all spiritual revivals. Actually, that’s three different elements, but they somehow all work together along with last week’s “hunger for God”.
As you begin to want more of God, you start seeking and searching out more about who he is and who he is to you. Prayer time is less a duty and more a longing to spend time in his presence. That deeper conviction and realization of your need for him in order to live righteous before him becomes ever present. Prayer time becomes more fervent, more pointed towards change. The realization of our unworthiness brings a humility and brokenness that only God can relieve. To know how he made us worthy to stand before the King of Kings tends to bring about more humility and awareness of our need for repentance. The realization of how it hurts God when we don’t give him first place in all areas of our too-busy lives will lead to true repentance and allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, our desires, how we spend our time, where we go, what our habits and hobbies are. That’s transformation, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Here’s the pattern that every revival in history has mirrored: as people hunger for God and begin to seek out and search for more of him, he fills the heart (Ezekiel 37:1–10, Acts 2:1–4 & 4:31).
As we feel the life and power filling our heart, we hunger all the more, surrendering our will to him. The more we surrender, the more the Holy Spirit convicts and softens the heart. Repentance, brokenness, cleansing, and humility become more important than scrolling through the phone or any other favorite pastime (Isaiah 64:1–3, 2 Chronicles 34:19–27, Ezekiel 9:4, Psalm 51:17, Luke 1:50, Acts 10:35).
We become transformed to be like Christ. Renewal, reformation, and reshaping the hearts of individuals, whole churches, and nations into renewed devotion and holiness occur (Ezekiel 36:26–27, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2 ). All this prepares the person for the ministry of reaching out to others (Isaiah 6:8, Acts 2:14, Ezekiel 14:21, Romans 15:15–20).
Can I try to say this better?
1. The Holy Spirit fills surrendered people with power, filling them to overflowing.
2. The Holy Spirit melts hearts with conviction and brokenness.
3. The Holy Spirit molds people – reforms their character to his image.
4. The Holy Spirit uses transformed lives to reach others for Christ.
Some people stop after the first step. After all, it feels really good. Who needs more? Many people at least start the second step, and some even get a little way into the third step. But really, how much melting and molding is really necessary? I know the Lord. I’m ok with Him. The last step is often left to someone else. After all, it’s not really my gift. So goes our human reasoning.
The reality is, we should never stop going after more of God. He always has something more in store for us. Always
(Ephesians 1:3, 3:20).
Now is the time to seek the Lord. Seriously seek him like it’s a vital necessity in your life. Today, right now, we need extraordinary prayer. James 5:16 talks about fervent, effective, and righteous prayer. Let’s do that.
Here’s our verse for this week: You will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart– Jeremiah 29:13.
P. Amelia