I am praying for revival! I know many of you are as well. I want to see a move of God like never before. But lately, I have shifted my focus. Yes, I still pray for global revival, but I have been praying for revival in myself. What could happen if I focused on God and began to experience a greater move of His Spirit within myself?
I can feel the eyes rolling. Of course, we pray for a greater move of God in our own lives. Yes, that’s true, but what if it happened in a revival kind of way? What if I began to pray for healing with a greater sense of faith because of what I experienced in my own life? This is the disciple’s way. They were so close to Jesus that His miracles spilled over to them. They went out preaching repentance and praying for healing, and it happened! (Mark 6:2-13)
John Wimber once asked, “When do we get to do the stuff?” He was asking when do we get to do the things Jesus did. Jesus said that we would do greater things in His name. This is what I am praying for in my life.
The path to this end runs straight through the heart of Jesus. I am focusing on Him and His word, hiding it in my heart; drawing near to Jesus and allowing Him to draw near to me. One of the things that the Holy Spirit has been speaking to my heart comes from the verse “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Matthew 12:30-31)
My mind is filled with activity and creativity, but not all these thoughts are focused on God. I need to work in that area. “…and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) My mind can make up a story and immerse myself in it, but God wants this part of my mind. But here’s the thing: I know that simple willpower is not enough. I have to surrender (submit) this challenge to God willfully. He will remind me when I am tempted and provide a way out. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[fn] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
So I have my work cut out for me. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will become more like Jesus, and this will ignite revival in me. That revival will enable me to love my neighbor as myself and want them to know Jesus. It all flows from my being close to the Father and His heart for the world. Imagine what would happen if we all did this… Revival would break out.