Reviving Prayer: A Call to Worship and Intercession
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Heart Posture
Worship is foundational to prayer, setting the stage for a deeper connection with God. It is not merely an act but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's sovereignty and majesty. By focusing on His attributes and names, we align our hearts with His greatness and prepare ourselves to seek His will. Worship involves recognizing the roles of the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit—in our lives. This alignment with God's greatness is essential as it prepares us to ask for His intervention in our lives. Worship is a profound expression of our reverence and love for God, inviting His presence into our lives. [04:26]
Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."
Reflection: How can you intentionally create moments of worship in your daily routine to align your heart with God's greatness today?
Day 2: Confession as a Path to Restoration
Confession is crucial in restoring our relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our sins and the ways we have strayed from His path. By confessing, we seek to align ourselves with God's will and invite His cleansing power into our lives. This process is not just personal but also communal, as we examine the sins that separate us from God both individually and as a nation. Confession is a humbling act that requires us to confront our shortcomings and seek God's forgiveness. It is through confession that we experience the grace and mercy of God, allowing us to walk in His light and truth. [33:54]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: What specific sin or area of your life do you need to confess to God today, and how can you seek His forgiveness and cleansing?
Day 3: Intercession as an Act of Love
Intercession is a powerful tool for change, both in our lives and in the world. By praying for others, we participate in God's redemptive work and invite His intervention in the lives of those around us. Intercession is an act of love and faith, trusting in God's power to transform. It involves standing in the gap for others, whether they are individuals, communities, or nations, and asking God to bring about His will in their lives. Through intercession, we become co-laborers with God, partnering with Him in His mission to bring healing and restoration to the world. [06:23]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community that you can intercede for today, and what specific prayer can you lift up on their behalf?
Day 4: Urgency in Our Spiritual Walk
We live in urgent times that call for renewed commitment to God. We are called to be faithful in our walk with Him, to intercede for our world, and to trust in His power to bring about change. The call to prayer is a call to deeper intimacy with God and a reminder of our dependence on Him. In these times, we must be vigilant and proactive in our spiritual lives, seeking God's guidance and strength to navigate the challenges we face. This urgency is not a call to fear but a call to action, to be steadfast in our faith and to trust in God's sovereignty over all things. [22:20]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can renew your commitment to God today, and how can you make the best use of your time in light of the urgency of the times?
Day 5: Revival as a Present Possibility
Revival is a work of God that brings about spiritual renewal and transformation. By praying for revival, we invite God's presence and power into our lives and communities. Revival is not just a historical event but a present possibility that requires our earnest prayer and faith. It involves a deep longing for God's Spirit to move in powerful ways, bringing about repentance, renewal, and a fresh outpouring of His love and grace. As we pray for revival, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God, trusting that He can bring about change in our hearts and in the world around us. [12:24]
Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV): "O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy."
Reflection: What specific area of your life or community do you desire to see revival, and how can you commit to praying for God's transformative work in that area today?
Sermon Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound necessity of prayer and worship, emphasizing the importance of both individual and corporate prayer. We began by reflecting on the historical significance of prayer meetings and revivals, drawing inspiration from past events like the Canadian revival of 1970. These gatherings remind us of the power of prolonged prayer and the impact it can have on our spiritual lives and communities.
We delved into the structure of prayer, starting with worship. Worship is not just a prelude to prayer but an essential component that acknowledges the majesty and sovereignty of God. We focused on the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit—and the importance of recognizing their roles in our lives. By reciting the names and attributes of God, we align our hearts with His greatness and prepare ourselves to ask for His intervention in our lives.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of confession. We examined the sins that separate us from God, both personally and as a nation. By confessing these sins, we seek to restore our relationship with God and align ourselves with His will. This process involves acknowledging our shortcomings and the ways we have strayed from His path.
Finally, we turned our attention to petition, supplication, and intercession. We prayed for the church, for revival, and for the lost. We asked God to raise up laborers for the harvest and to bring about a spiritual awakening. We also prayed for the nations, for those suffering persecution, and for the advancement of God's kingdom on earth.
As we concluded, we were reminded of the urgency of the times we live in. We are called to renew our commitment to God, to be faithful in our walk with Him, and to intercede for our world. The call to prayer is not just a call to action but a call to deeper intimacy with God, trusting in His power to transform lives and nations.
Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Worship: Worship is foundational to prayer, setting the stage for a deeper connection with God. By focusing on His attributes and names, we align our hearts with His greatness and prepare ourselves to seek His will. Worship is not just an act but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's sovereignty. [04:26]
2. The Necessity of Confession: Confession is crucial in restoring our relationship with God. It involves acknowledging our sins and the ways we have strayed from His path. By confessing, we seek to align ourselves with God's will and invite His cleansing power into our lives. [33:54]
3. The Call to Intercession: Intercession is a powerful tool for change, both in our lives and in the world. By praying for others, we participate in God's redemptive work and invite His intervention in the lives of those around us. Intercession is an act of love and faith, trusting in God's power to transform. [06:23]
4. The Urgency of the Times: We live in urgent times that call for renewed commitment to God. We are called to be faithful in our walk with Him, to intercede for our world, and to trust in His power to bring about change. The call to prayer is a call to deeper intimacy with God and a reminder of our dependence on Him. [22:20]
5. The Promise of Revival: Revival is a work of God that brings about spiritual renewal and transformation. By praying for revival, we invite God's presence and power into our lives and communities. Revival is not just a historical event but a present possibility that requires our earnest prayer and faith. [12:24] ** [12:24]
What does Exodus 34:5-8 reveal about the character of God, and how does this passage relate to the importance of worship in prayer? [06:49]
According to Psalm 66:18, what is the consequence of regarding iniquity in one's heart, and how does this relate to the necessity of confession in prayer? [04:03]
In Deuteronomy 32:39, what does God declare about Himself, and how does this declaration support the sermon’s emphasis on God's sovereignty and power? [12:39]
How did the sermon describe the historical significance of prayer meetings and revivals, such as the Canadian revival of 1970? [00:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the structure of prayer, beginning with worship, help align believers' hearts with God's greatness and prepare them for deeper intimacy with Him? [04:26]
Why is confession considered crucial in restoring one's relationship with God, and how does it help align believers with God's will? [33:54]
What role does intercession play in participating in God's redemptive work, and how does it demonstrate love and faith? [06:23]
How does the sermon emphasize the urgency of the times we live in, and what is the call to action for believers in response to this urgency? [22:20]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily prayers to deepen your connection with God? [04:26]
Identify a sin or shortcoming in your life that you need to confess. How can acknowledging this help restore your relationship with God and align you with His will? [33:54]
Think of someone in your life who is in need of prayer. How can you intercede for them this week, and what specific prayers can you offer for their situation? [06:23]
Considering the urgency of the times, what steps can you take to renew your commitment to God and be more faithful in your walk with Him? [22:20]
How can you actively participate in praying for revival in your community and church? What specific actions can you take to support this effort? [12:24]
Reflect on a time when you experienced a spiritual awakening or revival in your life. What role did prayer play in that experience, and how can you seek a similar renewal now? [12:24]
Identify one area in your life where you need to trust more in God's power to transform. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to Him? [22:20]
Sermon Clips
Worship always starts or should start every prayer meeting now I understand if someone is feeling convicted and guilty in their mind and their heart that they're unclean and they need to confess a sin you know should know psalm 66 if I regard iniquity in my heart the lord will not hear me. [00:03:50]
I begin with worship, I begin with an acknowledgement of who God is, God the Father who sits on the throne, Jesus who sits at the right hand, he's the great intercessor and the Holy Spirit who is there because he makes groanings for us which cannot be uttered. [00:04:24]
The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, abundant in goodness and truth long suffering, again keeps the covenants keeps his promises, he cannot lie and then he does these things, keeps mercy for thousands he forgives us when we go into our confession time to forgive us over our iniquity our transgression and our sin. [00:06:57]
The more you look upon God's holiness and his righteousness and his perfection, I think the more that we see our imperfections, and it leads us to this understanding how vowel we are, you know we're just a worm uh dust, who are we that we should ever be able to approach unto God. [00:33:52]
We have forsaken the Lord God as the United States of America, a God that this nation was built on by the pilgrims by the founding fathers of fear of God, a knowledge of God the word of God, we have forsaken all that we have forsaken you, burned incense unto other gods. [00:44:32]
Pray for the kingdom, pray for against pray for something you pray against pray against those things that come against the kingdom, pray against the forces of hell pray against the governments and the persecution, pray against the false religions, pray against men's antics and actions that seek to silence the church. [01:11:44]
Pray for the days ahead and whatever next year, thy kingdom come thy will be done God direct us as the kingdom what are we supposed to do for your kingdom come your will to be done, open the doors give us ears to hear what the spirit is saying and lead us in the power. [01:12:41]
Pray for the masses we pray for again those not only as we are praying we'll get to a revival here in a moment but we're praying for a spiritual awakening where the lost are redeemed and saved faith comes by hearing hearing by the word of God look upon the harvest. [01:13:47]
Pray for revival right now this has been a heart cry for me and so many of you for God's glory to come down, that which is hindering it five sins of confession again that I didn't cover back in confession time that we've grieved the holy spirit, resisted him limited him disobeyed him. [01:15:28]
I want to ask you in the way of this concert of prayer, that you would renew your vows before God, your walk with God your Christianity you whatever this year has brought to you whether you backslid whether you've been faithful whether you've grown in grace I want you to renew your vows. [01:19:11]
I still believe or I wouldn't have put this concert of prayer before you today and yesterday I still believe is that there's time, hope I still believe he's able and I believe many of you do too but these things must be made known and dealt with so I've taken this afternoon. [01:22:42]
Pray like never before know God because time is fleeting and we're out of time and so dear brother dear sister thank you for being with me here this afternoon, being a part of this time of prayer these prayer scriptures points incorporate them use them go to the website find the other things. [01:28:12]