David Macdonald - July 11, 2021

Northbrook Bible Chapel

Prayer for RevivalPsalm 85:1-7 Our Christian lives? Like seasons? Spiritual summer – enjoying warmth, growth & fruitfulness. Sometimes a spiritual winter –heart has grown cold like the world around us. Do we need revival? Revival – word sometimes misused exaggeration implication of fanatical excitement salvation of many souls Revival – biblical term Found in 19 OT verses New life to God’s people Prodigals restored Life restored after period of “spiritual deadness” A prayer for revival Psalm 85:1-7 – A prayer for revival When should we pray for revival? Suitable to be prayed when we can remember some gracious acts of God in our lives in the past. LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.” (Ps 85:1 NKJV) And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. (Exodus 13:3) do this in remembrance of Me – 1 Cor 11:24, 25; Luke22:19 Great are Your mercies, O LORD; Revive me according to Your ordinances. (Psalm 119:156 NASB) When should we pray for revival? Suitable to be prayed when we have experienced times of turning away from God Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? (Psalm 85:5) Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. (Psalm 119:37) When should we pray for revival? \Suitable to be prayed when we feel apathetic & lukewarm Perhaps you have lost the joy of fellowship with God’s people. Lost the joy of sitting under the teaching of the Word of God. Perhaps you have lost interest in reading your Bible. Perhaps your prayer life is lacking or non-existent. I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word. (Psalm 119:25 NLT) Suitable to be prayed when we feel apathetic & lukewarm Suitable to be prayed when we feel apathetic & lukewarm Perhaps you have lost the joy of fellowship with God’s people. Lost the joy of sitting under the teaching of the Word of God. Perhaps you have lost interest in reading your Bible. Perhaps your prayer life is lacking or non-existent. I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word. (Psalm 119:25 NLT) Suitable when gripped by fear and troubles You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (Psalm 71:20) World filled with trouble Where do we find comfort? You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. (Psalm 71:21 NLT) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. (Psalm 138:7) What this prayer implies This prayer implies 2 things: Life has been present Lifeguard Believers have life, non-believers need life Ark – an illustration Move to second level of belief – belief that  belief in That life has declined Spiritual fruit withering Need a checkup Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Psalm 85:6 It is a prayer for elders, deacons, missionaries, leaders… Leaders not exempt from coldness of soul Need constant prayer Encourage those who you may notice need it