POSITIONING FOR REVIVAL

Mission 24-7 When Satan interferes When God intervenes When the Church intercedes

Psalm 86:7: In the day of trouble I will call upon you, for you will answer me. Crying out is needed for spiritual breakthrough. Crying out is a key to a powerful prayer life. Crying out to God demonstrates our total dependence on God to accomplish the victory. What do you cry out for?

What in the world is happening? To prepare for revival, nothing more central and important than prayer, especially prayer in small groups. Revival never just happens. There is always a time of preparation preceding it - and it always includes prayer.

What in the world is happening? Fourth Great Awakening ( ) R.A. Torrey went to Australia in 1905 There is not a more effective way to prepare for revival than the establishing of prayer groups.

What in the world is happening? There is an extra-ordinary move of prayer among children (4-14 years) and it is globally. 1989: Father Anton Cruz in India took children from the rubbish dumps, gave them education and taught them to pray. After 20 years they number about 8,000. Signs, wonders and conversions are taking place amongst them. In an informal settlement called Orange Farms, a pastor started to teach and mobilise children to pray for their community. Within 2 years the number of kids involved grew to over 5,000.

Re-position for revival We cannot facilitate revival to break out – we can only prepare for revival. Revival can come: –When we realise we need God to do things we cannot. –When we realise strategic planning cannot replace crying out to/seeking God. –When uttermost desperation sets in; e.g. when we cannot bear living without Him answering, delivering or healing right there right then. –When we want God more than what He can do for us – even granting us revival, transformation, signs or miracles. Revival comes: –When we stop trying to convince God of what He must do in our midst, and we become convinced of our need for Him to do what He wants. –When our demands and questioning of His sovereignty turns into supplication and seeking His face. Revival has come: –When the gap between man and God is completely closed in surrender to Christ, individual after individual.

REPOSITION Put God back in the centre I have this against you – that you have lost your first love….

Crying out to God / Seeking His face WHEN I INTERCEDE: Psa 27:4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. GOD INTERVENES: Psa 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psa 27:6 And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psa 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me! Psa 27:8 You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].

Reposition: Come before God Only ONE THING is needed – love God. Remember what He saved you from. Do not think because you do many things for God it’s enough. The lack of your first love may cause you to loose your ministry. The lack of your first love may cause the church to loose her place/position of authority and ministry in the world. We only have a ministry because we love Jesus. Get oil - Mt.25 Without oil we have nothing to give. With oil in our lamps even our simplest testimony and preaching will be powerful. Vibrant first love for God will focus people towards God and not towards us.