David’s Prayer for Revival

“Return to us, God of our salvation, and abandon Your displeasure with us. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger for all generations? Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your faithful love, LORD, and give us Your salvation.”

Psalm 85:4-7 (HCSB)

The sense of present afflictions for the people of God and the individual person should never overshadow any remembrance of the former mercies. David clearly points to this truth by recounting the feeling of distance and God’s displeasure of collective rebellion.

It is true that the presence of God is a foundation of happiness. When God’s people get down to genuine business with God, they will find His gracious mercy, love and hope renewed.

God forgives sin and covers it. When forgiveness comes, The Lord stands before us. When we sin, the ramifications and the afflictions that come are the result of our own hard hearts. When we turn in humbleness and brokenness, He will make us rejoice.

• Life is renewed.
• The heart is made glad.
• The eyes of the believer light up.
• There is an intense desire for the Word of God.
• A new understanding of God enlivens the
• There is a hunger for more and more of the things of God.

That is revival!

It is what we need today!

A revival is akin to dropping a stone into a body of water and seeing the concentric circles of blessing going out to the end of the earth. That is why revival is for the people of God and the churches of God. It begins with the people!

“Revival is what God sends, not to the lost, but to His own people, the church. The dead cannot be revived, they require resurrection. In revival, God does a fresh work in those who have life, yet have grown weak through sin or neglect.”

Rev. Derek Gentle, FBC, Tallassee, Alabama

Many, far too many, think of revival as something for the lost, but revival is for the church. That is why we must realize in the time we live, the lost are not coming to us. We must go to them! Before we go, we must be revived. 

“Revival is a return to spiritual health after a period of decline into broken fellowship with God…Revival is for God’s people when they need to be forgiven and restored to life, spiritual health, and vitality.

Blackerby and King

Revival starts with YOU! You need it for life!

“LORD, I have heard the report about You; LORD, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive [Your] work in these years; make [it] known in these years. In [Your] wrath remember mercy!”

Habakkuk 3:2 (HCSB)

William P. McKay wrote the words, which should be our prayer today:

“We praise Thee, O God! For the Son of Thy love, For Jesus who died, and is now gone above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory- Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.

We praise Thee, O God! For Thy Spirit of light, Who hath shown us our Savior, and scattered our night.

All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain, Who hath borne our sin, and hath cleansed every stain.

Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen.

William P. McKay, 1837-1885; Revive Us Again; The Baptist Hymnal; Page 469

There needs to be a renewing fire among the people of God because we are: 

• We pray a few minutes, we sing a few songs, we hear a 10-15 minute message, then…
• We are powerless in service, becoming…
• The evil one uses the prayerlessness and powerlessness of our lives, abusing us and creating discord within the body of Christ, as we are…
• Persuaded everything is alright, all is well with our world. It is within our hands.

The four things mentioned above, is seen in the life of believers and it is by their own hands they find themselves in this plight. What a miserable state we find ourselves in today!

Yet, we mosey along, with our heads down, our eyes closed, our mouths shut, and our hearts hardened. We are useless to the King, ensnared by darkness and scorned by the legions of hell. Crippled and crushed.

All the while there is a solution! We turn to God, recount the glorious mercies He has extended to us and rejoice in His love and presence in our lives! May you experience a renewal which will change you into;

• A prayerful warrior.
• A powerful contender of the faith.
• A product Of God’s glory.
• A provision of grace living.

Let the prayer today be the song, “Revive Us Again.

Consider this exercise:

• Define REVIVAL in your own words.
• What must happen in YOUR life for REVIVAL to come?