Revival: Seeking God Through Prayer and Unity

Devotional

Day 1: Pray for the Word—God’s Word is Personal and Timely

God’s Word is not just a general message for all, but a living, personal word for each believer in their unique circumstances. Just as Elijah waited years for a fresh word from the Lord, we too must seek and pray for God’s specific direction in our lives, trusting that He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. The Bible is our daily bread, and we are called to judge every teaching and opinion by its truth. Don’t compare your calling to someone else’s—God has placed you where you are for a reason, and He will speak to you in His perfect timing. [41:58]

1 Kings 18:1-4 (ESV)
After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a fresh word from God? Will you set aside time today to pray specifically for His direction and listen for His voice?

Day 2: Be Who God Made You to Be—Faithfulness in Your Calling

God does not call everyone to the same role or method of service; He equips each person uniquely for the place and purpose He has assigned. Obadiah was faithful in his position, just as Elijah was in his, and both were used by God in powerful ways. You are not called to be someone else—your job, your gifts, and your influence are all part of God’s plan. Be faithful where you are, honor those in authority, and do your work for the glory of God, knowing that your obedience matters in the kingdom. [46:03]

2 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
...and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

Reflection: In what ways have you compared your calling or gifts to others? How can you intentionally honor God by being faithful in your unique role today?

Day 3: Pray for the Fire—Wholehearted Commitment and True Worship

Revival comes when God’s people stop wavering between two opinions and choose to follow Him wholeheartedly. The showdown on Mount Carmel was not just about fire from heaven, but about calling God’s people to make a clear decision—no more divided loyalties, no more lukewarm faith. Idols promise much but deliver only emptiness and self-destruction, while the true God alone satisfies and heals. Jesus took the suffering we deserved so that we could be made whole. Today, God calls us to rebuild the altar of our hearts, to offer ourselves fully, and to seek His consuming presence above all else. [54:43]

1 Kings 18:21-24, 36-39 (ESV)
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” ... And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

Reflection: What is one “idol” or divided loyalty you need to surrender to God today so you can follow Him with your whole heart?

Day 4: Pray for the Rain—Persistent Prayer Brings God’s Blessing

God calls us to pray persistently, even when we see no immediate results. Elijah prayed for rain when there was not a cloud in the sky, and he kept praying until the answer came. Sometimes, God’s answer is delayed, but He is always working behind the scenes. The blessing of God is like rain—refreshing, life-giving, and abundant—but sin can act as an umbrella, blocking what God wants to pour out. Don’t give up in prayer; keep seeking, keep asking, and trust that God hears and responds to the fervent prayers of His people. [01:12:57]

James 5:16-18 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve been tempted to give up praying? Will you commit to persist in prayer for it today, trusting God for His timing?

Day 5: Unity and Rebuilding the Altar—Revival Requires Us All

Revival is not a solo pursuit; it requires unity among God’s people and a willingness to rebuild the altar of worship and surrender. Elijah gathered twelve stones, representing all the tribes, and poured out the most precious resource—water—on the altar, showing that true revival costs us something valuable. When we come together in humility, generosity, and prayer, God’s presence is poured out in power. The altar is not just for those in crisis, but for all who long for intimacy with God. Let’s move from being spectators to participants, rebuilding the altar in our hearts and in our church, so that God’s glory may be seen. [01:03:28]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to unity and spiritual renewal in your church or community this week—what step will you take to rebuild the altar in your own life?

Sermon Summary

As we gather in this season, our hearts are stirred to pray for revival—not just a fleeting moment, but a sustained move of God in our lives, our families, and our church. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 reminds us that revival is not a passive event; it is something we must actively seek through prayer, obedience, and unity. Just as Elijah waited years for the word of the Lord, we too must be patient and persistent, trusting that God speaks in His timing and not ours. Revival begins with a fresh encounter with God, a renewed hunger for His Word, and a willingness to be who He has uniquely called us to be.

Obadiah’s story challenges us to reject the temptation to compare our calling with others. God placed Obadiah in a strategic position, just as He did with Daniel, Joseph, and Nehemiah. Faithfulness is not about public boldness alone; it’s about obedience in the place God has assigned us. We are reminded to honor our responsibilities, work with excellence, and use our influence for God’s glory, without becoming abrasive or judgmental toward others who serve differently.

The showdown on Mount Carmel is a vivid picture of the need to choose whom we will serve. Elijah’s challenge—“How long will you waver between two opinions?”—echoes today. We cannot serve both God and the idols of our age, whether they be money, success, or even good things that become ultimate things. True revival requires wholehearted devotion, a willingness to rebuild the altar of intimacy with God, and a spirit of unity among God’s people.

Revival is also marked by sacrificial generosity and a willingness to let go of what we hold most dear, trusting God to provide. The fire of God falls not on empty ritual, but on surrendered hearts and lives. We are called to pray bold, faith-filled prayers, not just safe or polite ones, believing that God still answers and moves in power. Even when we see nothing, we persist in prayer, knowing that God is working behind the scenes.

Finally, we are invited to come to the altar—literally and figuratively—to seek God together, to weep with those who weep, and to rejoice with those who rejoice. The rain of God’s blessing is available, but we must remove the “umbrellas” of sin and unbelief that keep us from receiving it. Now is the time to go all in, to repent, to pray, and to believe for a great outpouring in our day.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Your Unique Calling and Position God does not call everyone to serve in the same way. Obadiah was faithful in a hidden, strategic role, just as Elijah was called to public confrontation. We must resist the urge to compare ourselves to others or judge their obedience, and instead focus on being faithful where God has placed us, using our influence for His glory. [46:53]
2. Reject Lukewarmness and Idolatry The call to “stop wavering between two opinions” is a challenge to wholehearted devotion. Idols—whether money, success, or even good things—demand sacrifices that ultimately lead to emptiness and self-destruction. Only Jesus satisfies, and only He can forgive when we fall short; we must choose to serve Him alone, refusing to live with divided loyalties. [55:46]
3. Unity and Sacrifice Precede Revival Revival is not an individual pursuit but a corporate one, requiring unity among God’s people. The rebuilding of the altar with twelve stones and the pouring out of precious water symbolize the need for unity and sacrificial giving. When we let go of what is most precious to us and come together in humility, we create space for God’s fire to fall. [60:57]
4. Pray Bold, Persistent Prayers Elijah’s short, faith-filled prayer stands in contrast to the frantic efforts of Baal’s prophets. God honors prayers rooted in His promises and offered with boldness and persistence, even when there is no immediate evidence of an answer. We are called to keep praying, trusting that God is working even when we see nothing, and to pray for miracles that only He can accomplish. [72:57]
5. Remove Barriers to God’s Blessing and Go All In The rain of God’s blessing is withheld by the “umbrellas” of sin, unbelief, and divided hearts. We must repent, surrender all, and come to the altar—both physically and spiritually—seeking God’s presence and power. Revival comes when we humble ourselves, pray, and remove anything that stands between us and God’s outpouring.

** [78:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:58] - The Word of the Lord Comes to Elijah
[43:29] - Obadiah’s Faithfulness and Calling
[45:07] - Judging by God’s Word, Not Opinion
[46:03] - Unique Callings: Elijah and Obadiah
[47:58] - Christians in the Workplace
[49:52] - Elijah’s Loneliness and God’s Remnant
[52:39] - The Showdown on Mount Carmel
[54:43] - Wavering Between Two Opinions
[57:53] - Modern Idolatry and Its Consequences
[59:00] - The True God Takes Our Place
[60:57] - Unity and Sacrifice for Revival
[63:28] - Rebuilding the Altar and Generosity
[67:20] - Faith That Requires Divine Intervention
[68:12] - Elijah’s Prayer and God’s Fire
[72:57] - Persistent Prayer and the Coming Rain
[74:09] - The Latter Rain and End-Time Revival
[75:19] - Tony Evans’ Story: Bold Prayer for Rain
[78:47] - Removing Barriers to God’s Blessing
[79:59] - Call to the Altar and Response
[82:13] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 18:1-46 (ESV) — (Key story: Elijah, Obadiah, and the showdown on Mount Carmel)

James 5:16-18 (ESV) — 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Observation Questions

What roles did Elijah and Obadiah play in 1 Kings 18, and how were their callings different?
What challenge did Elijah give to the people of Israel on Mount Carmel, and how did they respond?
What did Elijah do to the altar before praying for fire, and what did this symbolize?
According to James 5, what is said about Elijah’s nature and his prayers?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God used both a public prophet like Elijah and a behind-the-scenes servant like Obadiah in the same story? What does this say about how God works through different people?
Elijah asked, “How long will you waver between two opinions?” Why is this question so important for the people of Israel—and for us today?
The people poured out precious water on the altar during a drought. What does this act of sacrifice teach us about preparing for revival or God’s blessing?
James says Elijah was “a man with a nature like ours.” What does this mean for how we view our own prayers and potential for God to use us?

Application Questions

The sermon said, “God placed Obadiah in a strategic position, just as He did with Daniel, Joseph, and Nehemiah.” Where has God placed you right now? How can you use your current job, school, or family situation for God’s glory—even if it doesn’t seem “spiritual”?
Elijah challenged the people to stop wavering between two opinions. Are there any “idols” or divided loyalties in your life (money, success, approval, comfort, etc.) that keep you from being all-in for God? What would it look like to choose God over those things this week?
The sermon talked about unity and sacrificial generosity as keys to revival. Is there something precious to you (time, resources, comfort, reputation) that God might be asking you to lay down for the sake of others or for His kingdom?
Elijah prayed bold, faith-filled prayers, not just safe or polite ones. When was the last time you prayed a bold prayer? What is one specific, bold prayer you can start praying this week?
The “umbrellas” of sin and unbelief can block God’s blessing. Is there a specific sin, doubt, or attitude you need to confess and surrender so you can receive what God wants to give you?
The sermon invited everyone to “come to the altar”—literally or figuratively—to seek God together. What would it look like for you to rebuild the “altar” of intimacy with God in your daily life? Is there a practical step you can take this week (like setting aside time for prayer, worship, or confession)?
The story of Elijah reminds us that God often works “behind the scenes,” even when we see nothing. Is there an area of your life where you need to persist in prayer, even though you haven’t seen an answer yet? How can the group support you in this?

Sermon Clips

Do you understand just because you once had an encounter with God doesn't mean that you don't need a fresh encounter with him today? You know, and the only people who can be revived are those who have been vibed. Revived, all right? And so, yes, you know God, you've had an encounter with him, but I need a fresh encounter with him. And in the New Testament, in the book of Acts, it said there were times of refreshing. And we need times of refreshing in our lives, in our marriages, in our homes, and in the church. [00:40:58] (28 seconds) #FreshEncountersDaily

How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord's God, follow him. And if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing. And so, he takes them to Mount Carmel, which was a place they were used to doing the sacrifices. He said, Baal's the God of rain and fire. Fire, so whichever God answers by fire, he'll be God and we'll follow him. [00:54:43] (22 seconds) #ChooseYourGod

``Let me tell you the difference between the false God and the real God. You ready? The real God doesn't tell you to cut yourself up. No, he took the form of human flesh. He came down here. They took a cat of nine tails, and they tore his back up. And he was cut, and he was wounded for you. False gods tell you to mutilate your body, but I'm telling you, the real God took the mutilation and the cutting that we deserve, and by his stripes we are healed. That's the real God. [00:59:00] (30 seconds) #RealGodHeals

The fire fell on the sacrifice, not on the people. That's what happened on the cross. The wrath of God fell on Jesus and not us. Because he is the sacrifice, the once and for all sacrifice for sin. So now the fire of the Spirit of God can fall on us. That he puts his Spirit in us. [00:59:51] (16 seconds) #SacrificeTakesTheFire

If you want a dead church, listen, there's plenty of them to go choose from, all right? One time we put billboards up in Arkansas, a church alive is worth a drive. A church alive is worth a drive. And I had pastors who said to me, you're calling my church a dead church. And I was 20 and stupid, and I said, if the shoe fits, wear it. I mean, yeah, I'm sorry. You know, when you're young, you're just immature, you know? But the bottom line is this. There are plenty of dead churches to choose from. There are plenty of dying churches to choose from. Liberty Live, it says live. Y'all got that? Live. We're not going to be one of those dead churches, all right? [01:02:28] (43 seconds) #AliveChurchMovement

You didn't come here just to see people sing. You came to sing. You didn't come here to just hear somebody read the Word of God. You came to study the Word of God. So get rid of this spectator mindset and encounter the presence of God. Here's the deal. You don't come to get a blessing. You come to be a blessing to somebody else. [01:04:38] (19 seconds) #BeABlessing

Rain is the sign of God's blessing. An umbrella is a picture of sin. That's what sin does. It keeps the blessing of God from falling on your life. It may be addiction. It may be anger. It may be resentment. It may be greed. It may be unforgiveness. You know what it is. And it's keeping the blessing of God off of your life. Go all in. Give it all to God today. Repent of it. Let him restore you. Bring reconciliation. You come to the altar today with humility and with unity. Twelve stones, twelve barrels of water. We're all in this. We're all praying for revival. [01:18:47] (43 seconds) #RemoveSinReceiveBlessing

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