January 23 One With God

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
 
WE conclude our look at God’s life-giving revival into the United States and surrounding seas and countries. This happened through the Layman’s Prayer Revival of 1857-1859. Here is one more excerpt from “Firefall 2.0 How God Shaped History through Revivals” by Malcolm McDow & Alvin R. Reid. Let’s see the universal power of God to bring people to become one with God.
 
This awakening provided a testimony to the Word of God in revival. Of several national awakenings in America that had occurred in the 1700’s and earlier 1800’s, this was the only awakening without a well-known leader. It came unexpectedly, which may explain the great unity among believers. Differences between denominations were minimized in the prayer meetings. Churches in the same region, though of differing traditions, united for the cause of revival.
 
The evangelistic impact was impressive. Almost every denomination recorded significant increases in the late 1850s. The proportion of church members to the total population jumped by 50 percent from 1850 to 1860. Baptists saw 650 new churches birthed during this period. 43 estimates of conversions ranged from 300,000 to 1 million!
 
Although the termination date is listed as 1859, revival fires continued in certain areas during the Civil War (1861-65), especially in Illinois and Virginia. Virtually all denominations were impacted by this revival. The great evangelist D. L. Moody spoke of the profound impact of this movement on his life. The conversion of Charlotte (Lottie) Moon in 1859 under the preaching of John A. Broadus ultimately changed the mission approach of the Southern Baptist denomination.
 
    Do you see how God’s kingdom can come, his will can be done on earth right now? Even as the revival “ended” it didn’t. There are many accounts of God powerfully moving among Civil War soldiers. Some even conjecture God was saving soldiers’ souls to prepare them for eternity. Many revived soldiers went home to establish a godly way of life in their homes and revive their communities.
    And note Dwight L. Moody’s revived heart. He went on to evangelize globally. God’s anointing on this man has made many disciples of Jesus Christ to this day through the institute that bears his name. 
    If you or your church are looking at declining membership? Does your community struggle amid a culture of opposition? Are young families absent from church? Do lose hope and then wonder, “What do we do?”
    What else is there to do but pray? Isn’t prayer where God wants you to be? He has taught you to pray. Use the Lord’s prayer as your basis. Make “the Lord’s Prayer” your relevant, reviving prayer for your own life first. Then pray it for the life of your neighbors, state, nation and your church. Put aside differences. Seek leaders in other churches. Come together and pray. See how the Lord will draw you to revival. Pray all his people become one with him.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, keep your name holy on my lips and in your church. I pray your kingdom come in revival power to quicken dead souls to new life in Christ. Please, Father, cause your will to be done in the church. Give us a glimpse of your heavenly glory. Give us each day your Word to feed our souls. Strengthen our bodies and minds to receive and live into your Word. Forgive us, Lord. Turn our hears to forgive one another, so we can move forward as one with you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.