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I Challenge You
by william kovacic June, 2009--a small group of men met to pray at 6:00am on Thursday morning in Centre Hall, PA. Their purpose was to seek the face of God for their families, churches, and towns--and yes, even America. I was blessed to be there. April, 2011--that same group of men still meets to seek the face of God for their families, churches, and towns--and yes, even America! God is working as I have seen Him raise up this group of faithful men to plead their case before the God of Heaven. I have since heard of God raising up other groups throughout the country as well. Historically in revival, God has always set His people to praying prior to sending revival. I am learning that for the most part Christians in America think everything is okay. They think they are living in a state of revival when in fact God is far from them. Honestly, many that call themselves Christians are not true, born-again, blood washed, blood-bought Christians. We no longer live in the days when people were driven to their knees in prayer, or wept over their sin. We no longer are concerned about the fullness of God in our lives. We have become content just to add His Name to our otherwise pleasure-focused life. To make the point, I am going to suggest something to you in a few moments. Many will read it and disregard it completely, leaving it at just another idea. Some will read and consider the idea. A few--maybe one or two, may actually put the idea into practice. We are told in James 1;22--"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only...." What are we to do? Exactly what God speaks in His Word! Among other things we are told this in Isaiah 55:6, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." God will not always be found. He will not always be near. I pray it is not too late. I challenge you to seek God for yourself and be willing to go all the way with and for Him. I challenge you to commit yourself to a group in your area that is praying for revival. Notice that dirty, six-letter word--commit. You may go for a few weeks and then drift back into your old, careless practices of neglect. Unless you consciously commit to your decision, you will never follow through with it. There is too much at stake and satan (I do no believe in capitalizing his name) will never allow you to go through with it without tenacious commitment. He will fight you at every turn. He will give you excuses on every hand. Just do it! Just be a doer of the Word! There may be a few out there are already involved in a revival-seeking prayer group. You realize that God has surely blessed you, but you and I both know that those participating in prayer groups focused on revival are too few and far between. God wants to set this nation to praying and seeking His face. I know, I know! There is no prayer group in your area that is seeking revival. I am glad you noticed because here is your challenge. Start one. Yes, you--start one! Go to your pastor and share your idea with him. He will be able to coordinate your effort with other like-minded churches in your area. He can help you work out the details and get the ball rolling. America needs you to do this. God is calling you to do this. Have the courage to follow through. Watch God bless. Well, what if my pastor is not behind the idea? The sad truth is, he may not be. Many pastors do not have a desire to seek God with all of their heart, and it will be difficult for them to be of much help. They may even see you as a threat to their own spirituality or ministry ( a devise of satan), thus trying to throw water on your fire. I don not recommend rebellion toward your pastor. He has been put in place to help you grow spiritually. I know I must be careful in this matter, but we must also consider Acts 5:29,"...We ought to obey God rather than men." The bottom line is that God has set America to praying. God is calling on His people to make a difference in an indifferent country. He has called you to fulfill your part. I challenge you to carry through. I have been the pastor of Lifegate Baptist Church in Bellefonte, PA for the past ten years. I have always had a heart for revival. In the last year God called me to head up The Great American Fast, a national day of prayer and fasting for our country. See more at www.thegreatamericanfast.org Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |