Heaven’s Strategy For Revival Series

Revival is not a human invention; it is a divine intervention. It’s a moment when heaven touches earth, when God moves in extraordinary ways, and when lives, churches, and communities are radically transformed by His presence. Throughout history, we have seen pockets of revival—moments when God’s Spirit has moved powerfully, awakening the church and drawing people to repentance and renewed faith. These moments were not random or accidental; they were the result of God’s people aligning themselves with His strategy for revival. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God lays out a clear and timeless formula for revival: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

God’s strategy for revival is not hidden; it’s laid out in His Word. It’s a call to return to the basics, to embrace humility, to engage in prayer, to seek God’s presence, to repent, and to pursue renewal. The early church understood this strategy well. They knew that revival was not about elaborate programs, charismatic personalities, or human efforts. It was about surrendering to God’s will, seeking His face, and allowing the Holy Spirit to move freely among them. They gathered in prayer, they repented of their sins, and they pursued God with a relentless passion. As a result, they experienced a powerful outpouring of God’s Spirit that transformed their world.

Today, the need for revival is as urgent as ever. Our communities, our churches, and our world are in desperate need of a fresh move of God—a move that can only come when we align ourselves with His strategy for revival. This sermon will explore the steps that God has laid out for His people to experience true and lasting revival. It’s a call to return to God’s blueprint, to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek His face, and to repent of anything that stands in the way of His movement.

1. Humble Ourselves Before God

The first step in God’s strategy for revival is humility. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God specifically says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves…” Revival begins with a posture of humility—a recognition that we cannot bring about revival in our own strength. It’s an acknowledgment that we are utterly dependent on God and that we need Him more than anything else. Humility is the soil in which revival grows; without it, our efforts will be rooted in pride and self-reliance rather than in God’s power.

In the early church, humility was a defining characteristic. They were not focused on titles, positions, or personal recognition; they were focused on Jesus. They were willing to serve, to lay down their lives, and to put others before themselves for the sake of the Gospel. This kind of humility attracted the presence of God and allowed the Holy Spirit to move freely among them. It was a humility that said, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” It was a humility that positioned them to receive God’s favor and power.

For us today, humbling ourselves means laying aside our pride, our agendas, and our self-sufficiency. It means recognizing that revival is not something we can manufacture; it’s something only God can bring. It means coming before God with a broken and contrite heart, admitting our weaknesses, and acknowledging our desperate need for Him. It’s about putting aside our own desires and seeking God’s will above all else. A humble heart invites God’s presence, and when God’s presence comes, revival is not far behind.

Humility also means that we are willing to repent of anything that stands in the way of God’s movement. It’s about being honest about our sins, our failures, and our shortcomings. It’s about acknowledging that we have not always lived up to God’s standards and that we need His forgiveness. A church that is truly humble is a church that is willing to confess its faults, to seek reconciliation, and to pursue holiness. Humility is the foundation upon which revival is built, and without it, we will never see the fullness of what God desires to do.

2. Pray with Persistence and Expectancy

The second step in God’s strategy for revival is prayer. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God calls His people to pray, to seek His face, and to cry out to Him with persistence and passion. Prayer is the engine that drives revival. It’s the means by which we align our hearts with God’s heart and invite His power to move in our midst. In the book of Acts, we see that prayer was the central focus of the early church. They gathered together regularly, they prayed fervently, and they believed that God would answer their prayers.