I am leading my church through a 40 day time of prayer and fasting which starts tomorrow, 2/18/15. It's purpose is to seek the face of God for revival in the church and a great awakening in our land. Throughout the 40 days they will receive a daily bible study along with a prayer guide. I will begin posting the bible studies and prayer guide tomorrow and would love for others to join us. This is the introduction.

Introduction

            For the past several years, God has given me a burden to write this study. He has given me a burden for seeing revival in our land and in our time, which is the purpose of this study. Not a week of meetings that soon is forgotten or isolated movements that soon fade, but a mighty moving of God’s powerful hand that spreads throughout the land capturing the glory of His splendor. As I read through the Word of God and church history, I can come to no other conclusion than the fact that He is able, He is more than able. We will also see the clear biblical truths unfold that He is also willing.  

Through my studies, I am fully convinced that God desires to move mightily upon the land. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” God wants His glory to be seen. So what is the problem you might ask? We are. We have become so obsessed with “us” that we have not allowed God to be seen through us. We glory in the works and wisdom of man rather than standing in awe of the greatness of God. God’s heart is that His glory is seen by the world through us. However, we must get “us” out of the way.

            In this study we will take a close look at II Chronicles 7:14 along with its biblical context. God set apart King Solomon to be the man who would build His temple. God had provided Solomon with the wisdom and the wealth to build a phenomenal house in which the very presence of God would rest. In II Chronicles 6 the nation of Israel gathered together in the outer court of the temple for a dedication service. Solomon prayed asking for God’s hand of blessing and guidance to come upon them. In chapter seven we see the Shekinah Glory of God fall down on the temple and consume the offering. 

When the glory of God fell, the priests were not even able to enter the temple. They could not fulfill their priestly duties-duties that God had called them to, equipped them for, and anointed them for. They could not do the very thing that God had called them to do because God showed up and said, “I will take it from here”. 

That is true revival. That is what I am longing for and what I pray you are longing for as well: God’s showing up in such a way that man has to simply get out of the way; God’s moving in such a way that everyone, beyond a shadow of doubt, knows this is a movement of a mighty God; and God’s moving so mightily that no man can share in His glory because it is all directed to Him. I am seeking true revival where God moves in such a way that the fires of revival fall from heaven consuming us in His glory and purifying us in His presence. An undeniable Spirit-led awakening that transforms the spiritual landscape for His glory is what I am longing for.  

            Volumes of books could be written about the problems our churches are facing. Even the most spiritually blind can see them. However, that is not the purpose of this study. This study is about seeking the solution. God is our solution. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The facts are overwhelmingly clear that the church of today is in desperate need of revival. God came to Solomon by night after the temple was dedicated and gave to Solomon not just the greatest formula for revival but the only formula for revival. He said to Solomon in II Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

            Jesus said to the church in Matthew 16:19, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Jesus has given the power and authority to the church to unleash the endless riches of heaven upon this earth. However, we must do it God’s way. He has also given us the power to bind heaven upon this earth. We do that by operating in our own power and authority. We must understand that God doesn’t need us; He simply chooses to work through us. However, we desperately need Him. Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Therefore, if nothing is being done, it is due to the fact that it is being done apart from Jesus. 

            The question for today is not what should be done if we see spiritual drought. We are seeing it! However, God has given us the answer. We must recognize who we are and whose we are. We must humble ourselves before a mighty God, call upon Him, seek His face, and turn from the things that bring dishonor to His Holy presence. Then, and only then, will we align ourselves to receive the abundant blessings that will flow through us and into this world where God then would receive all glory, honor, and praise. A few years back the contemporary Christian rock group Casting Crowns asked in song with this text of scripture in mind, “What if His people prayed?” WOW! Think of the results. What if His people prayed? What if His people who are called by His holy name humbled themselves before His majesty? What if His people who are called by His name turned from their wicked ways that dishonor Him and trusted in Him in holiness for His honor? What if His people who are called by His name were satisfied with nothing but His glorious presence and began to seek His face? What if? 

            We must also keep in mind that we did not get in this spiritual drought overnight. God can, if He so chooses send down revival fire upon this land at this very moment that would spread like wildfire near and far consuming all wickedness and purifying it for His purpose. However, we must understand that this is not just some seven-step plan that we do A, B, and C and 1, 2, and 3 then abracadabra alakazam; revival has come. God could put us through a testing period to examine whether we are just seeking the benefits of Him or if we are truly seeking Him.  We must ask ourselves as well if we would faithfully serve Him even if we never saw a single result. Many have. God does not ask us for results. His simple request of us is obedience. The results are up to Him.  

Jesus also warns us in Matthew 16:4, “an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign.” This study is not about being a sign seeker it is about being a God seeker. I have no doubt signs will follow but only if our hearts are seeking God and not simply seeking the manifestation of God. Remember that the righteous walk by faith and not by sight. We see in the book of Acts that God started with a small group of one hundred and twenty ordinary men that were in an upper room prayerfully waiting on His power. When the power of God fell, revival broke out and the gospel spread like wildfire. Within one hundred years, the gospel had spread across the whole world. God is able; however, we must wait on Him, believe on Him, seek Him, and pray. What if His people prayed?  

            Although the need for revival in our land is abundantly clear I also know that there are many Christians who are on fire for the Lord with a heart to see God sweep a mighty revival across the land. I am also fully aware that there are many churches that God is using in extraordinary ways to reach their communities and the world for Christ.

Again this study is not about finger pointing or fussing about our spiritual state. It is about seeing the church of the Lord Jesus Christ as a whole live up to its full potential in the power and authority that God has granted, so we will join forces and storm the gates of hell raising up the banner of victory that will give glory and honor to The Lord Jesus Christ. This cannot be accomplished through my agenda; nor can it be accomplished by your agenda or anyone else’s. This can only be accomplished through us coming into agreement, and getting on board with God’s agenda. We must surrender to His will, submit to His way, and trust in His power. Let’s answer the question: What if!       

Definitions:

            Revival: Revival is a restoration to life. Only people who are saved and churches can experience revival. Revival is a restoration to a right relationship with God that releases the power and authority of God upon the church or saved individual. The lost cannot be revived since they are dead in their sins.

            Great Awakening: An awakening is the moving of God upon the lost awakening them, or making them aware, of their sin and hostility towards God causing them to enter into repentance and salvation. A great awakening is God moving in such a way on the masses.

            The People of God: In the prayer guides you will be asked to pray for the people of God. The people of God are Christians. While praying for the people of God keep in mind that you are in that number therefore, you will be praying for yourself as well. 

“ And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 NASB

The ninth chapter of Mark begins with the remarkable account of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John atop a high mountain where Elijah and Moses appeared and Jesus along with them was majestically transfigured into a heavenly appearance. Meanwhile, the other disciples remained at the bottom waiting for Jesus and the other disciples to return. While they were waiting, a desperately hurting father brought to them his son who was possessed by a spirit that was trying to destroy him. 
When Jesus returned instead of finding His disciples ministering to a hurting father or praying for a demonically possessed boy He found them arguing with some Sadducees. The topic of their argument was so important that the Bible doesn’t even bother to tell us what it was. This shows us how easily we can be distracted from real ministry. When Jesus asked what was going on the father of the boy stepped up and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” When Jesus heard this He said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?” Jesus didn’t speak these words to the father, rather, to the disciples who were distracted from prevailing in prayer and ministry. When we truly believe, we will prevail despite the immediate outcome. 
The father then brought his son to Jesus and said, “If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus responded, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Jesus said all things are possible, we just need to believe. The key ingredient to prayer is faith. Faith is believing God can despite how humanly impossible the situation is. The Bible then says, “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” The father demonstrated genuine faith. He was saying to Jesus, “I believe you can help my son, and I believe you can help me in my shortcomings of faith.” Jesus then cast the demon out.
Later the disciples, who had cast demons out in Jesus name before, asked why this one wouldn’t come out. Jesus said, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.” Jesus isn’t talking about quickie generic prayers. He is talking about specific, focused, prevailing prayer. Again, if we truly believe the promises of God, and that He can, we will prevail in prayer. We are now setting our heart to prevail in prayer for revival and a great awakening. That’s what our petition will be. Recently I have heard a multitude of Christians say things like, “We just have to get use to the way things are,” or, “We will have to learn to accept society for the way it is.” NO WE DO NOT! God forgive this unbelieving generation. Do they not believe? Is God not almighty and all-powerful? Didn’t Jesus say “All things are possible to him who believes?” Last time I checked all means all all the time. 
We are prevailing in prayer for revival and a great awakening so we pray in faith that He can. When doubt arises ask God to help you in your unbelief. He’s not only able, He is more than able. Let us join together and believe in God for the restoration of our churches, and for the salvation and transformation of our nation. He can!

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:1-3 NASB

            I often hear pastors and minister fuss that they can’t get their congregation to move out of the pews and into the community for the sake of the gospel. I must admit I have grumbled those same complaints more than a time or two myself. However, we often fail to realize the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and not a physical one. We are only effective in winning a spiritual battle if we fight the battle with spiritual weapons of warfare. Fasting and praying is one of the greatest spiritual tools God has given to us.

            Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. As we look out into our world it doesn’t take long to understand just how plentifully full the fields are with the lost who need to be harvested with the power of the gospel. Yet, we are often left disappointed when we see so few doing the work of the Lord. God has clearly called all Christians to share the gospel.  Unfortunately most Christians have never shared the gospel with anyone. Jesus said that we are to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would send workers into the field, in other words, Jesus is telling us to fight this battle with the spiritual weapon of prayer. 

            We see in this text of scripture the church at Antioch praying and fasting. While they were praying and fasting the bible says that “the Holy Spirit said.” It isn’t coincidental that the church was seeking God through prayer and fasting and then heard from Him. In fact this should be the norm, just as the church seeking God through prayer and fasting should be the norm.

            When the Holy Spirit spoke He told them to, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They prayed to the Lord of the harvest and God answered by sending out workers into the harvest field. God was calling Barnabas and Saul, (Paul), to go out into the world and preach the gospel to the lost.

            Before sending Barnabas and Saul into the mission field the church at Antioch prayed and fasted once again for their newly appointed missionaries. Notice that they didn’t send them out into the fields of spiritual war to fight the battle alone. Although Barnabas and Saul were sent out and the others remained, the church was spiritually in the mission field fighting the spiritual battle as partners in the trenches of spiritual war with them. The church continued to fight the fight with them by praying and fasting. Through the power of prayer and fasting we can stand alongside missionaries, pastors, and evangelists all over the world; even if they are on the opposite side of the world at the time-far it is a spiritual battle.

            When Paul went out into the mission field and preached the gospel, many were saved. He formed churches and trained leaders who would help lead the church so he could go into other cities and do the same. The new believers needed a church to help them grow in their walk with the Lord. At the same time there were still many lost people in those cities that needed to hear the gospel. These cities were now the spiritual responsibility of the new churches.

            Paul knew what an enormous task the churches had in reaching their community and training new believers. He also knew the power of prayer and fasting. Acts 14:23 says, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

            Are we reaching our communities, cities, counties, states, and nation with the gospel? Are we praying? Are we fasting? Lost people are not simply caught up in a philosophical thought that is contrary to the gospel; they are in spiritual bondage. Before we can change their philosophical view, we need to call upon the Lord of the harvest to transform and change their spiritual condition through the power of the gospel. Once they have accepted the gospel they are spiritually teachable and ready for the church to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded. It begins with prayer and fasting, it continues with prayer and fasting, and it ends with prayer and fasting.

“It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11:1 NASB

            Do we know how to pray as we ought? According to the bible we don’t. Since we don’t know how to pray as we should the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. The fact is, no one can teach us to pray but God. Others can give suggestions and advice, but no one can truly teach us to pray; except the one to which we pray.

            In this verse, we see one of the disciples first listening to Jesus pray. When Jesus finished praying it was as if the disciple came to Jesus and said, I want to pray like that, just like you did. I have been in the presence of some mighty men of God and stood in awe of their prayer. It was as if they were calling fire down from heaven. D.L. Moody gave testimony of traveling to England to visit with Charles Spurgeon. When Moody attended the Metropolitan Tabernacles service he said it wasn’t the heavenly choir that impressed him, nor was it Spurgeon’s masterful preaching, rather, he was impressed with the prayer.  Could you imaging being with Jesus while He prayed? These Jewish disciples of Jesus had no doubt been taught to pray from childhood. More than likely they prayed daily. However, they never prayed as Jesus prayed, but they wanted to.

            Jesus asked the disciples to do many tasks. He asks of us the same. The greatest of tasks is to go and preach the gospel to all creation. Of the many tasks Jesus asked of us we never find in scripture anyone asking Jesus how to do them. The only request of any sort is how to pray. The fact is, the tasks Jesus calls us to do are empowered by prayer. If we don’t pray we shouldn’t expect any power or provision.

            Yet, we so often do not know what to pray for. So, where do we start? Lord, teach is to pray. I don’t know how to pray as I should. Will You guide me? I have my own agenda and my own goals. Will you lead me to Yours? I am week and easily distracted. Will You keep me focused and on track. Prayer begins and ends with Jesus. Our level of dependency upon Him will determine the level of power in our prayer. We don’t put faith in our faith, nor do we put faith in prayer in and of itself; we put faith in Christ alone. For this reason, the beginning of all is, Lord, teach us to pray. Make that your daily prayer.