The Conditions of Revival
How do you feel our country is doing spiritually? Do you sense and see there’s a need for true spiritual awakening and renewal? Are morals and values declining in a dramatic and disturbing fashion? Do you believe our nation as a whole has lost its vision and its sense of purpose driven by the providence and the plans of God? If so, then this verse will have great relevance and importance for you. I want us to note several important things about it, because it places a great obligation upon the people of the Lord. This shows us that if revival is to come, as by its very definition it should, it must come to His people first and foremost. A revival is simply a renewal, or “life again,” as it would be literally translated.
Let’s note the challenging conditions for revival. There are four things that the Lord says we must do, and He gives them to us in a specific order.
First, we must humble ourselves. Without true spiritual humility we won’t be praying for revival! But if we truly sense and know that we are incapable of producing any real spiritual change apart from the genuine movement of the Holy Spirit, then God will extend His hand of blessing. This spiritual humility is an important aspect of one’s daily walk with the Lord.
Second, the Lord encourages us to pray. Revival will come without many things. But it will not come without the intercession and prayers of God’s people. Why don’t we have revival? It’s because we have not asked for it. As simple as this is, it’s also a profound reason why we need to be praying for God’s movement of the Spirit.
Third, the Lord encourages us to seek His face. This simply means He wants us to be in line with His character—to seek communion and fellowship with the Lord. Unless we seek this alignment with God and make it a priority in our lives, we are very unlikely to experience and know its realities of closeness with Him.
Fourth, we must turn from our wicked ways. Notably, this is the last condition that is necessary for revival. It is last because if we are doing the first three obligations for renewal then this one will come naturally. If we are praying and seeking the face of the Lord in humility, we will be inclined to turn from any and all known sin in our lives.
Dear Lord, help me to humble myself, pray for revival, seek Your face, and turn from my wicked ways. I desire revival in my land, Lord! Amen.