Faith: The Foundation of Revival
Many of us struggle with doubt over whether our prayers really make a difference. Often, this doubt is not about God’s power but about our own significance. Who am I that what I do is important? This doubt strangles our prayers before we even have a chance to utter them. God is calling us to see ourselves as powerful in Christ and have access to His presence because He loves us.
Faith is the fuel of the Christian life. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Prayer is an act of faith, placing our concerns in God's hands rather than relying on our own strength. When we pray for revival, we acknowledge that transformation in our communities can only come through His power.
What Is Revival?
Revival is the manifest presence of God moving in a specific area, awakening people to His reality. It is more than just an emotional church service—it is a divine encounter that changes lives. Revival can look like people coming to know Christ for the first time, broken lives being restored, marriages being healed, and families reunited. Or it could manifest in peace, unity, and an overwhelming love for those around us. It can also look like physical healing and deliverance. When God’s Spirit moves in revival, we don’t know exactly what we will get besides more of Him. And that is enough to transform entire communities.
Step 1: Know the Heart of God Through Scripture
To pray effectively for revival, we must first understand God's heart and His will. The Bible reveals these through its pages for those that look for them.
- Abraham’s faith—Abraham follows through with God’s request to sacrifice Isaac even though it was through Isaac the promise was to come. He reasoned God could raise the dead (Hebrews 11:17-18). God keeps His promises.
- Jonah’s story—Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh because he knew God would be merciful if they repented (Jonah 4:2). God is compassionate.
- David’s prayers—David fasted and prayed for Bathsheba’s child, knowing God’s mercy could change the outcome (2 Samuel 12:22-23). He also trusted in God’s mercy when offering a sacrifice to stop a plague (2 Samuel 24:25). His mercies are new every morning.
Scripture consistently teaches that God desires to commune with people. He makes a way and responds to our dependence on Him. By studying His Word, we align our prayers with His heart for revival and develop a heart for the people God cares so much about.
Step 2: Listen for His Voice
Prayer is not just speaking to God—it is also listening to Him.
God cleansed Isaiah’s sin where he could hear the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’ (Isaiah 6:8). Jesus says that all of His sheep hear and know His voice (John 10:3-4). The Christian life is not about following rules; it’s about being close to Jesus. We are not just trying to get to heaven; we are given the opportunity to know and walk with our Savior.
God still speaks today. He longs to guide us in prayer, revealing where and how to intercede for revival. We must cultivate a habit of listening, whether through quiet reflection, journaling, or simply sitting in His presence. This is how we transform our hearts with His and develop a love that wants people to know God as if it was the most important thing in the world.
Step 3: Join Jesus in Intercession
The most powerful prayer is the one that aligns with God’s will.
- Romans 8:34—Jesus is interceding for us right now.
- Romans 8:26—The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how.
- 1 John 5:14-15—When we pray according to God’s will, He hears us and answers.
When Jesus calmed the storm (Luke 8:22-25), he questioned the disciples for their lack of faith. Many of these men were seasoned fishermen. If they were worried about the storm, it must have been quite the tempest. So, why the chastisement?
Right before this, Luke records that Jesus said His mother and brothers were those that hear God’s word and puts it into practice (Luke 8:21). We also know that Jesus only did what the father was doing and said what He heard the father saying. I believe the comment was directed to the disciples for not hearing what He heard… and then calming the storm themselves.
When we join Jesus and the Holy Spirit in intercession, we move in agreement with heaven and bring heaven’s realities to earth. God is already at work in our communities, and through prayer we can speak to mountains and they will be moved in order for people to know how much God loves them.
.jpg)
Pray for Revival Where You Are
Revival is not limited to history books or faraway places—it can happen right where you are. The question is, will you be part of it? Will you read God’s Word, listen for His voice, and join Him in intercession? God is longing for more people to know Him intimately and filling their lives with His fullness. Your prayers do matter, and God wants to spend more time interacting with you on behalf of the world.
Start today. Seek God’s heart, pray according to His will, and watch as He moves in powerful ways. The revival you long for is waiting for someone to pray it into existence. Will it be you?
