Laboring in Prayer: A Call to Revival
Summary
In today's message, I shared the profound journey of spiritual parenting and the challenges of releasing our children, both physical and spiritual, into the world. This journey is akin to releasing arrows from a quiver, trusting God to guide them. As we navigate this season, we are reminded of the global challenges facing the church, where many leaders are being exposed for their sins, leading to a crisis of faith for many. This is not a political issue but a spiritual one, calling for a return to holiness and fervent prayer.
The church is called to be a beacon of victory, yet we find ourselves in a time where the church is cannibalizing itself. The solution is not found in politics but in revival, which is birthed through laboring in prayer. We must move beyond the complacency of resting in the river of God and engage in the labor of prayer, as exemplified by historical figures like Charles Finney and his intercessor, Daniel Nash. Their ministry was marked by a deep commitment to prayer, which laid the foundation for revival.
The power of prayer is not just in the miracles it can bring but in the transformation it can effect in the hearts of people. True revival and lasting change come from a church that is willing to labor in prayer, to stand in the gap, and to intercede for the world. This is the legacy of figures like Jonathan Edwards and Smith Wigglesworth, whose ministries were marked by a profound anointing and a commitment to prayer.
As we reflect on these examples, we are challenged to examine our own lives and our commitment to prayer. Are we willing to labor in prayer for the sake of the church and the world? Are we willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ in the path of prayer and intercession? This is the call for each of us, to be a part of a church that is not just resting but laboring in the river of God, seeking true revival and transformation.
Key Takeaways:
- The Pain of Release: Releasing our children, whether physical or spiritual, is a painful yet necessary act of faith. Like arrows in a quiver, we must trust God to guide them, even when we cannot see the path ahead. This act of release is a testament to our faith in God's sovereignty and His plans for their lives. [01:01:36]
- A Call to Holiness: The current global crisis in the church is a call to return to holiness and fervent prayer. The exposure of sin among church leaders is a painful reminder of the need for integrity and righteousness. We must strive to be a church that walks in victory, grounded in holiness and prayer. [01:03:56]
- Laboring in Prayer: True revival is birthed through laboring in prayer, not just resting in God's presence. Historical revivals were marked by a commitment to prayer and intercession, as seen in the ministries of Charles Finney and Daniel Nash. We are called to labor with Christ in prayer for the transformation of our world. [01:06:13]
- The Power of Intercession: The success of Charles Finney's ministry was rooted in the intercessory prayers of Daniel Nash and Abel Clary. Their commitment to prayer laid the foundation for revival and transformation. This is a powerful reminder of the impact of intercession and the need for prayer warriors in the church today. [01:24:43]
- Revival Through Sacrifice: The great revivals of history were marked by sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ in the path of prayer and intercession. This is the path to true revival and transformation in our world. [01:34:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:01:36] - The Pain of Releasing Our Children
- [01:03:56] - A Global Crisis in the Church
- [01:06:13] - The Call to Labor in Prayer
- [01:08:51] - Understanding the Cross
- [01:10:56] - The Role of Miracles and Character
- [01:12:55] - Historical Revivals and Their Impact
- [01:15:56] - The Second Great Awakening
- [01:18:50] - The Story of Daniel Nash
- [01:21:45] - The Power of Prayer and Intercession
- [01:24:43] - Strategies for Effective Ministry
- [01:27:53] - The Travail of Prayer
- [01:32:02] - The Impact of Prayer on Revival
- [01:34:56] - The Legacy of Prayer Warriors
- [01:39:12] - The Call to Pray for Our Church and Nation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 127:3-5 - "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."
2. Ezekiel 22:30 - "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one."
3. Colossians 1:24 - "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."
Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor does the sermon use to describe the act of releasing our children, and how does it relate to Psalm 127:3-5? [01:01:36]
2. According to the sermon, what is the current global crisis facing the church, and how does it relate to the call for holiness? [01:03:56]
3. How did historical figures like Charles Finney and Daniel Nash exemplify the concept of laboring in prayer? [01:06:13]
4. What role did intercessory prayer play in the success of Charles Finney's ministry, according to the sermon? [01:24:43]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of children as arrows in a quiver challenge our understanding of parenting, both physically and spiritually? [01:01:36]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church has become complacent, and how does this relate to the need for revival? [01:03:56]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between miracles and character, and how does this affect our understanding of spiritual leadership? [01:10:56]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of standing in the gap through prayer, as mentioned in Ezekiel 22:30? [01:06:13]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to release someone or something important in your life. How did you trust God in that process, and what was the outcome? [01:01:36]
2. The sermon calls for a return to holiness and fervent prayer. What specific steps can you take this week to pursue holiness in your personal life? [01:03:56]
3. Consider the role of prayer in your life. How can you move from resting in God's presence to actively laboring in prayer for revival and transformation? [01:06:13]
4. Identify a situation in your community or church that requires intercessory prayer. How can you commit to standing in the gap for this issue? [01:06:13]
5. The sermon highlights the power of intercession in historical revivals. How can you incorporate intercessory prayer into your daily routine to support your church and community? [01:24:43]
6. Reflect on the concept of revival through sacrifice. What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of spiritual growth and transformation in your life? [01:34:56]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to engage in fervent prayer and intercession for the world? [01:39:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God in the Release
Releasing our children, whether physical or spiritual, is a profound act of faith. It involves trusting God to guide them, even when we cannot see the path ahead. This process is akin to releasing arrows from a quiver, where we must rely on God's sovereignty and His plans for their lives. The pain of release is a testament to our faith, as we let go and allow God to work in their lives. This act of faith is not easy, but it is necessary for their growth and our spiritual journey. [01:01:36]
Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV): "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you need to release control and trust God. What steps can you take today to begin this process of release and trust?
Day 2: A Call to Holiness and Integrity
The global crisis in the church today is a call to return to holiness and fervent prayer. The exposure of sin among church leaders serves as a painful reminder of the need for integrity and righteousness. This is not a political issue but a spiritual one, urging us to strive for a church that walks in victory, grounded in holiness and prayer. We are called to be a beacon of victory, not through political means but through a revival birthed in prayer and holiness. [01:03:56]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle with integrity. How can you invite God into this area to help you walk in holiness today?
Day 3: The Labor of Prayer
True revival is birthed through laboring in prayer, not just resting in God's presence. Historical revivals were marked by a commitment to prayer and intercession, as seen in the ministries of Charles Finney and Daniel Nash. We are called to labor with Christ in prayer for the transformation of our world. This labor is not passive but active, requiring dedication and perseverance in prayer. [01:06:13]
Colossians 4:12 (ESV): "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God."
Reflection: Consider your current prayer life. What is one specific way you can deepen your commitment to prayer this week?
Day 4: The Impact of Intercession
The success of Charles Finney's ministry was rooted in the intercessory prayers of Daniel Nash and Abel Clary. Their commitment to prayer laid the foundation for revival and transformation. This is a powerful reminder of the impact of intercession and the need for prayer warriors in the church today. Intercession is not just about asking for miracles but about standing in the gap for others and seeking God's will for their lives. [01:24:43]
Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV): "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."
Reflection: Who in your life needs intercessory prayer right now? How can you commit to standing in the gap for them this week?
Day 5: Revival Through Sacrifice
The great revivals of history were marked by sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ in the path of prayer and intercession. This is the path to true revival and transformation in our world. Revival requires a willingness to sacrifice our comfort and desires for the sake of God's kingdom. [01:34:56]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one comfort or desire you need to sacrifice for the sake of following Christ more closely? How can you begin to make this sacrifice today?
Quotes
"God is so good, and it is so hard, whether you're a spiritual parent or a physical parent, to send out your kids. I know right now my son turned 18. On March 1st, and it was like day and night. He woke up on his birthday, and was like, I'm an adult now. And right now he's in Ardmore, Oklahoma, with Upper Room and Bethel, praying for like hundreds and hundreds of people there today. And it's incredibly painful to let your kids go. But you know, the Bible says that children are like arrows in your quiver." [00:58:28] (40 seconds)
"And that sounds really cool if you're like a guy like me who's like, yeah, Lord of the Rings, I got my bow and my hair. But it's really painful, and you have to actually pull one out and just pull that thing back and just watch it go. And you don't know where it's going, but you're just praying, God, direct that thing right into the heart of the nearest orc. You know? You know? Just take them out, you know? It's painful. It's difficult." [00:59:08] (25 seconds)
"Because so many churches are closing down, and so, not because of the world. This is the thing. So many people are focused on politics, and the sin of the world, and all the evil things that these big corporations, and Disney, and all these people are doing. But the reality is, it's the church cannibalizing itself. And we are right now experiencing one of the wildest things that I think has been seen in church history, where church leaders all over the world, not just here in the States, all over the world that we have looked up to, are being exposed for horrible sins." [01:00:34] (36 seconds)
"And you guys are so blessed here. It's so wonderful what God is doing here. You're expanding. You're going to blow out this wall, and you're blessing the nations, and you're sending people out. But I got to tell you that most of the world right now is in a very different position in the church. Most of the world, when we were in Panama, usually when we go to Panama, we're getting invited to all of these churches all over the place. But this year, instead of getting all kinds of church invitations, we got lots of home group invitations." [01:00:01] (34 seconds)
"This is a global attack. This is a global revealing. This is a global scraping off the old dead stuff. And God is raising up new people, people of holiness. We have lived in a generation where holiness has been forgotten. We have forgotten how to pray. I remember when I was growing up, I'm 40 now, guys, just turned 40. My mom the other day, she's like, I see gray hair. And I was, no, it's just lighter blonde." [01:04:48] (35 seconds)
"And there was this movement about prayer where everyone was talking about resting in the river of God. Just rest. Just don't, don't, everyone would say don't strive, just rest. And that is true to a point, but it's also turned into the biggest, laziest church, because all everyone is ever doing is resting. Everyone is just floating through the river, letting the world go to hell while we're all getting blessed. But the Bible talks about laboring in prayer, talks about striving in prayer." [01:05:58] (32 seconds)
"That is the reason we are not seeing the results that people have seen in the great awakenings and the great movements of China back when Hudson Taylor was ministering all over China and David Livingstone in Africa and all these places where massive movements that marked nations took place. They were birthed out of laboring in prayer. Not resting in prayer, although we have to do that, but laboring with Christ." [01:06:43] (30 seconds)
"Charles Finney, he was approved to preach, and during his examination, he had this huge impact on Daniel Nash's life. Now, you would think in our Hollywood world, you think everything is linear. We think that everything is just going to be boom, boom, boom, boom. That's not how real life works. Daniel Nash was impacted, but instead of having this glorious moment and just changing his life, he backslid more and ended up getting a terrible disease in his eyes." [01:22:35] (30 seconds)
"Daniel Nash and another man named Abel Clary, they came together, they found Charles Finney, and they decided to become his personal intercessors. Which a lot of people might find demeaning, but they felt like this was their call. They were going to be the personal intercessors for Charles Finney. So Finney, God gave them this incredible strategy, the most effective strategy in ministry, I believe, that has existed. And very few ministries do this." [01:24:32] (29 seconds)
"Charles Finney then talks about himself. He says that one time he arrived at a town. He went to a local inn where Finney, sorry, where Nash and Abel had been praying. And he went up to the innkeeper, and he said, ma 'am, I'm looking for a brother. They called him Father Nash. I'm looking for Father Nash. And she said, well, I'm too scared to go into the room. And he asked why. She said, well, they've been here for three weeks. They checked in, and they have not eaten a single piece of food. And I haven't seen them leave the room since they got here." [01:27:16] (37 seconds)
"Charles Finney believed so strongly in the prayers of Daniel Nash that when Daniel Nash died after ministering with him for just seven years, Charles Finney finished out all of his commitments over the next four months and shut down his entire ministry. Because without his intercessors, he knew that there wouldn't be the same level of power. That's why ministry is a two -handed thing. It is not just the pastor. It's not just the worship team. You have to do your part, too. You have to pray." [01:39:49] (34 seconds)
"Without people praying, without you praying for your church, there will not continue to be success. There won't be. You have a responsibility, too, as believers, to pray for your pastor, to pray for your church, to pray for your town, to pray for Nashville, pray for Panama, pray for these places. We don't want to lose this next generation." [01:40:59] (29 seconds)
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