Earlier this year, a great snowstorm pelted snow on Buffalo, NY. Being situated in the direct path of many lake-effect storms, Buffalo is no stranger to snow – but this was different. Snow was falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour, winds were whipping at 30 mph, and travel became so treacherous that the roads were closed down by order of the governor. While some may have used the occasion to cuddle up next to the fire with a book and a hot chocolate, more than 85 people turned out during the harshest part of the storm to shovel – not for the church, for their sidewalks, or for the elderly widow that lives in the neighborhood – but for the Buffalo Bills. A playoff game was scheduled for that day and it would have been impossible to play if these dedicated superfans had not turned out in the cold (on foot due to the road closures) to shovel them out. Now that’s dedication. These people REALLY love their football!
But it should make us as the question – what do WE REALLY WANT as believers? I recently met with a friend in the ministry and the discussion turned toward the need for revival in our nation. He made the comment that perhaps we aren’t experiencing revival because we don’t have a great enough hunger for it. We might say that revival is needed and from time to time ask God to bring it to our nation, but it is not truly what we are seeking and dedicated to pray about.
Anyone who has studied God’s work in true revivals will tell you that revivals have always started with devout, intense and persistent prayer. No Christian is greater than his prayer life. Jesus had a life bathed in prayer – at His baptism, at His transfiguration, in the early mornings, and just before going to the cross. Yet, the prayer meetings in our nation continue to disappear. Many of those churches which do continue to have weekly prayer meetings are plagued by low turnout. As a result, the prayer time has often become an afterthought at the end of their “regular” service. This same ministry leader commented to me that he was recently at a mid-week prayer meeting where this was the case. Only 5-10 minutes at the end of the service were left for prayer after the music and message time. When the Pastor finished taking requests and called for everyone to go to prayer, all but three people got up and left.
Why do we not see a major work of God in our nation? I’m going to suggest because we don’t REALLY want it – at least not as much as many other things. Nehemiah wept and mourned and prayed over the condition of Jerusalem before God did a mighty work through him (Nehemiah 1:4). The enslaved Daniel made it a habit to pray multiple times per day and he sought after God with “fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes” (Daniel 9:3). How many times has God told us to SEEK His face with earnestness so that we might witness His mighty strength? (Deuteronomy 4:29; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Jeremiah 29:13; Proverbs 8:17; Matthew 7:7 - to name a few)
Maybe it’s time to stop and ask yourself – what do I REALLY want? Do you want revival as much as a Bill’s fan wants to watch a football game in a snowstorm? Think about the words of this well-known hymn and ponder the question for yourself:
Do you really want revival? Do you really want God’s power?
Do you really want His Spirit to control your life this hour?
O repent and turn to Jesus, Seek His face and humbly pray
Do you really want revival? Are you willing to obey?
Are you praying for revival? Are you praying for God’s power?
Are you praying for His Spirit to control your life this hour?
O the Lord is ever faithful, He will hear us when we pray
Are you praying for revival? Are you willing to obey?