A Psalm About Revival

There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest need of the church today is for a true revival. Revival is, of course, primarily something God does. It brings great joy and delight. I fear that it has become so alien to us that we almost dare not pray for it. I would love to challenge us to realize that revival is merely the intensification of the Holy Spirit’s normal work in the church. As such, it is possible to experience even a local revival, or a revival in an individual. We should pray that God will wake us up, then try to stir ourselves, for a revival is ultimately about the church rising up to grasp all that God has for her.

I found these words inspiring, and they make great words to pray. But don’t merely pray and then be passive. Pray and then open your eyes to what God would have you do right now. It is interesting that the psalmist speaks of the need to go out to sow in tears in order to then reap in joy.

Psalm 126

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.