Introduction

What is the goal of this emphasis? What are we trying to accomplish?

The desire to see a great movement of God’s Spirit upon His people in response to the prayers of His people and a greater vision of God’s glory as we seek Him in His Word and in prayer is our aim. We know that this will not happen unless there is a concerted effort by His people to seek Him.

That is why we are calling these 60 days (January 1, 2024 through February 29, 2024) of praying for revival as a HEART CRY for REVIVAL. We believe that God responds to the earnest seeker.

“and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

(2Ch 15:2, ESV)

““And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.”

(1Ch 28:9, ESV)

““Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

(Isa 55:6-7, ESV)

Early copies of the book were sent out with the thought that if the leaders of the church could see that in spiritual work everything depends upon prayer, and that God himself helps those who wait on Him, it could truly be a day of hope for our church. It was also intended for all believers who longed for a life of complete separation to the Lord. For all who desired to pray more and pray more effectively, it pointed to the glory of God in the personal place of prayer and the way that power can rest upon the soul.

 Murray, A. (2002). Living a prayerful life. Bethany House. Preface.

We want you to pray, and to find joy in prayer. But more than that we want you to gain a deeper appreciation and affection for the object of our prayers, God Himself. These passages have been chosen for that very reason. Isaiah recorded his vision of God’s splendor, holiness and glory for us to gain a deeper appreciation for the God we serve. Daniel opens his prayer by acknowledging the Lord who is great and awesome, who keeps His covenant and mercy. Nehemiah begins his prayer essentially the same way as Daniel with very similar wording. Jehoshaphat begins his prayer by recognizing who God is and by recounting the promise God made to Solomon at the inauguration and dedication of the Temple. These are powerful prayers because the one praying knew the One he was praying to.

We also want to focus on ourselves, specifically on our sins and the sins of our forefathers and culture. The decision to be completely honest and open before the Lord, to confess the failures of our fathers and of ourselves as these prayers model, will yield the fruit of forgiveness and blessing. God will not bless unrighteousness. He will not bless our sin, nor will He bless us in our sin. We should note that the sins of the fathers have generational effects upon the children and their children (see Exod. 20:4-6). These prayers acknowledge this spiritual truth.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

(Jas 4:7-10, ESV)

We want you to be open to how God wants you to be involved in His Work. God has not called us to complacency, comfort, or self-fulfillment. He has chosen us to do His Will. As you are praying, ask yourself afresh how God would be pleased to work through you to reach a lost world. “Here am I, send me!” This is the response, I believe, that God would be most pleased to hear.