A PRAYER FOR REVIVAL.
“Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoice in thee”-Psalm 85:6.
I. THE TIMING OF SUCH A PRAYER ?
(a) when we remember the past.
Read: “Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob....
The 44th Psalm begins, “We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.”
(b) while we rejoice in the present. After some mercy drops, then, it becomes us to cry for showers of blessing.
(c) when we respond to the problems after tokens of divine displeasure, when we are somewhat under a cloud. Thus the psalmist says, “Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
(d) when we rest on our progress
(e) when we reflect on our poverty Another time when this prayer is very suitable is when efforts seem to be useless;-when, for instance, I have preached the gospel, and have had no conversions;
(f) when we recognize apathy and backsliding.
II. THE NEED OF SUCH A PRAYER “Wilt thou not revive us again?”
Who needs such a prayer?
Well, first of all, the minister needs it.
all the leaders of our church need it.
all the members of the church need it.
the hesitators,the procrastinators,the careless
Then look at the outside public,
III. THE ESSENCE OF SUCH A PRAYER: “Wilt thou not revive us again?”
Well, it means,
(a) Dependence upon God. God's Work
(b) Confidence in God. “Lord, thou canst revive us again.
(c) Persistence with God. “Wilt thou not revive us again?”
IV. THE RESULT OF SUCH A PRAYER IF IT IS ANSWERED.
“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”
In a revival, part of the result is the conversion of men, but the result is the praise of God; and that revival brings forth most fruit that gives to God the most glory.
Rejoicing In :-
(a) The Existence of God,that there is a God.
(b) The Knowledge of God, to think that he is my God!
(c) The Permanence of God, "This God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death;"
(d) The Power of God,
(e) The Love of God, He is a God of love, a God of justice,
a God of truth -he cannot lie,-his immutability, he cannot change,
his eternal existence, he cannot faint or die
