A Leader’s Preparation for Revival

Is your heart longing for revival? Do you desire for your life to be used as an instrument of revival? Will you be ready when the winds of revival begin to blow?

While there is no formula that will guarantee revival, God’s Word outlines the conditions that must precede a visitation of His presence. Nowhere are those conditions spelled out more clearly than in 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV:

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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

The following questions have been designed to help us evaluate whether or not we are meeting God’s conditions for revival. As you prayerfully consider these questions, ask God’s Spirit to search your heart and reveal any specific aspects of His conditions for revival that you are not fulfilling. Place a checkmark beside each question where He brings conviction of a need for revival within your own heart.

If my people . . .

God’s promise to “hear, forgive, and heal” is a conditional one. It begins with an “if.” It cannot be claimed by just anyone; it is only for God's people. Do you qualify?

Am I a child of God? Was there a time in my life when I received Christ?
Have I trusted in the grace of God and the shed blood of Christ to save me, apart from any good works I may have done?
Do I recognize that I am under “new ownership,” that my life is not my own any longer, that I have been “bought with a price,” and that I belong to God?

who are called by my name . . .

What a privilege and responsibility it is to be “called by His Name”! When those who bear the name of Christ begin to reveal a likeness to the One whose name they bear, the world will be irresistibly drawn to Him.

Do unsaved people in my neighborhood, my community, and my workplace know that I am a Christian?
Do I quickly identify myself as a believer when I come in contact with unbelievers?
Do I reflect God’s holiness, integrity, and spirit in my daily conduct and dealings with others?

humble themselves . . .

Our Lord exemplified a life of true humility. He left the splendor and glory of heaven, clothed Himself in our humanity, and stooped to wash the feet of those He created. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for the salvation of the world.

Do I esteem all others as better than myself?
Do I rejoice when others are praised, promoted, or used by God, and I am not?
Am I more conscious of my own unworthiness and spiritual poverty than of the faults and failures of those around me?
Do I desire to serve those in my family, church, and ministry, and make them a success?
Am I quick to admit when I am wrong and to seek forgiveness?
Am I transparent and open with others regarding areas of spiritual need in my life?
When there is a breach in a relationship, do I take the initiative to go and be reconciled?
Do I take personal responsibility for the condition of my life, rather than blaming circumstances or others who may have hurt me?
Am I quick to forgive and to extend mercy and compassion to those who wrong me, rather than harboring hurt or bitterness?
Am I continually amazed that God can use someone like me?

and pray . . .

Prayer is the tool of God, given to the saints of God, through which the will of God is accomplished on earth, as it is in heaven.

Do I have regular, concentrated times of prayer when I am alone with the Lord?
Do I faithfully pray for the needs of my spouse, my family, and the people I serve?
Do I pray regularly for my pastor, my church, and my ministry?
Do I pray earnestly for revival and spiritual awakening in my community, my nation, and the world?
Do I pray specifically for those around me who are lost and in need of a Savior?
Do I regularly pray with other believers for God’s will to be done in my life and in the world?
Do I immediately turn to the Lord in prayer during the day when a need arises?
Is every aspect of my ministry saturated in prayer?
If revival depended on my prayers, would there ever be revival?

and seek my face . . .

Revival is the fruit of the pursuit of God, not of His gifts. To seek His face means to desire intimacy with Him above all else.

Do I spend time daily sitting at the feet of Jesus, meditating on His Word and worshiping Him?
Does the Lord Jesus occupy the center of my thoughts throughout the day? Is He the supreme object of my affections?
Do I earnestly seek to learn more of the heart, will, and ways of God on a regular basis?
Do I desire God Himself more than anything He could give me—material possessions, comfort, convenience, problems solved, personal happiness . . .?
Has ministry become an idol in the place of God?
When I face difficult decisions or people ask for my advice, do I instinctively turn to God for His solution and His wisdom?
Have I abandoned any personal agenda and plans for ministry, and instead, regularly seek God’s will for my ministry service?

and turn from their wicked ways . . .

God will not hear and answer the prayers of those who insist on going their own way, those who refuse to repent and forsake their sinful ways.

Have I repented of and forsaken every “secret” sin that God has revealed in my heart, in my thoughts, or in my private life?
Have I been thorough in my repentance, forsaking not only sinful behaviors, but the root sins, heart attitudes, and worldly values that have produced those behaviors?
Have I deliberately, decisively, and thoroughly removed from my life every influence that might tempt me to make provision for my flesh or to sin against God in some way?
Am I accountable to a godly person for my personal life and ministry leadership?
Am I hiding anything? Have I been 100% honest in ministry? Do I use ungodly coping mechanisms when there are ministry pressures?
Have I asked God if there are blindspots in my character that need to be revealed?

Adapted from “Preparing for Revival” by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth.