4Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. 8I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Psalm 85:4-8
Cliff Barrows, who closely worked with Billy Graham during his revivals, found out about a dedicated prayer warrior.
“Back in 1949 a woman named Pearl Goode, who lived in Los Angeles, had prayer seminars in her home with Fuller Seminary students and taught them the ministry of prayer. Unknown to us, she was a prayer warrior for the first LA Crusade and followed us for several years. God laid upon her heart a burden for those Crusade cities. She would make arrangements to stay in an area home or in a room by herself. She would not attend the Crusade meetings, but she prayed for Bill especially as he was preaching, that God would anoint him. She made it her ministry to be on her knees during his preaching and invitation time. She would call out, ‘Lord, bless Billy tonight as he preaches on the Cross. Pour out Your Spirit into his heart.’”
E. M. Bounds, one of my favorite authors on prayer, wrote, “The man—God‘s man— is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God.”
The Psalmist in Psalm 85 and Cliff Barrows discussed the single most important ingredient in revival. It is not the preaching or the music: fervent, continual prayer remains the cornerstone to changing lives. The Psalmist cries out asking the Lord to restore us, revive us, show us, and grant us. Brothers and sisters, please do not listen to anyone that says ultimate spiritual insight and power comes from within us. This lie is as old as the words of the snake in the Garden of Eden.
4“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
Notice that throughout the passage: the actor, the mover, and the protagonist is God Almighty. In our own strength we cannot effectively disciple, witness, or worship. We may give tantalizing speeches, sing with the voices of angels, or memorize brilliant gospel presentations; however, only the Lord can truly forgive our sins, revive our hearts, and transform our minds. Examine the history of revivals in Scripture and in our nation’s history. Every significant move of the Spirit begins with the will of the Father and takes place when believers are on their knees. Christians confess, intercede for others, praise, repent, and give thanks to God as the Lord’s might is made known.
No matter what our age, ethnicity, health, gender, past, status, or wealth; we have a prayer ministry for our family, our community, our state, our county, and the world. You matter to Jesus. He lived and died for you! For every Anne Graham Lotz, Beth Moore, Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, Charles Finney, George Whitefield, Jonathon Edwards, or John Wesley; there are millions of Pearl Goodes praying that unbelievers will be saved, and Christians will walk closer with the Creator, Deliver, Provider, and Sustainer.
We have such rich promises of blessing and strength from Adonai, our Lord. Every believer, who humbles themselves and seeks God’s face, has spiritual power through the Father, Son, and Spirit. Paul repeatedly noted:
… that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Ephesians 3:16 ESV
“18… that you may know 19 … what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” Ephesians 1:18-19 ESV
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so …Colossians 1:11a NIV
We can lift up fellow Christians, co-workers, enemies, evangelists, family members, friends, missionaries, neighbors, pastors, and strangers today. It is always in God’s will that we be people of prayer. It is always in God’s will that we love the Trinity and love people. See how Jesus modeled his ministry and prayer life. He even prayed for his enemies who conspired to kill him, the men who cast lots to divide his clothes, and the thieves on the crosses next to Him.
Prayer: Abba Father, teach us to listen and respond to your voice. Humble us and open our eyes to how You are at work around us. Use us as your instruments to present the gospel with boldness and wisdom. We thank you that you call us your children and that You will abide with us forever. In the blessed name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
You can find out more about Paul’s prayers for God’s people at ChurchLeaders.com