We Pray for Awakening January 16-20
True spiritual awakening, or revival, is the manifest presence of God in our lives. Awakening comes when we go to God prayerfully, in repentance and total surrender to Jesus, making Him Lord of our lives. We are renewed in love for God and love for others through the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray for spiritual awakening within our own hearts so we are empowered to share our testimony of God’s love with others. We pray for the Holy Spirit to make everyone in the church ambassadors of Christ who are sent out into the world. We also pray that God uses us to pass our faith on to future generations who, in turn, will do the same.
Day 1 Acts 26:12-23
Reflect: Why do you think Jesus chose this event to awaken Paul? What descriptions of salvation does Paul use in speaking to the king? How did he summarize the Gospel?
Apply: What kinds of things did God use to stir or awaken you to your need for Christ? Who do you know who needs to be awakened to the need for Jesus? How can you be a light?
Pray: Father, thank You for the life and witness of Paul. I pray that You would use me as a light in this darkened world and a witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus.
Day 2 Ezekiel 37:1-14
Reflect: In Ezekiel’s vision of a valley of dry human bones, what do these bones represent? What is God trying to teach Ezekiel in this vision? What would this bone awakening do?
Apply: How would you describe this “awakening”? What do you think about the question God asked? Do you know people who have lost hope? How can this text help you to help them?
Pray: God of all compassion, Your breath alone brings life to dry bones and weary souls so that we may face despair and death with the hope of resurrection. Pour out your Spirit upon us, call dry bones to dance, and restore to us the joy of Your salvation.
Day 3 Acts 13:1-5
Reflect: What were the conditions in which the Holy Spirit appeared and spoke to the people? Why is this important? What does this text tell us about the spread of the Gospel?
Apply: What is the most recent calling of the Holy Spirit on your life? Have others prayed for God to use you? Are you willing to ask God to empower you and send you out?
Pray: Holy God, transform me to be like Jesus, wholly conformed to Your will and fully living out Your mission for my life.
Day 4 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Reflect: What does Paul mean in verse 16? What is the ministry of reconciliation? How is the Gospel message given here? How is this true for you—awakened people awaken people?
Apply: Why are we called ambassadors of Christ? How does this guide the way we live and interact with others? How is it helpful for our spiritual walks to share the gospel with others?
Pray: Father, thank You for reconciling the world back to Yourself through Your Son Jesus. Help me to be a worthy witness of the truth of Your Word and boldly declare the message of reconciliation with all whom I have contact.
Day 5 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Reflect: What impression are we given of Paul’s prayer life? What do you learn from him? Does the spiritual growth of others bring you joy? Why or why not?
Apply: If this text was personally for you, how would you respond? What verses ring true? Which ones convict you? Ask God what you need His love and grace to awaken in you for your testimony to help awaken others.
Pray: Lord, thank You for the privilege of prayer and for the witness of Paul’s powerful praying. May we, who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ, be ready to be a good testimony so others may awaken to the good news of the Gospel and glorify our Father in heaven.
Put It into Practice!
Week 3: We Pray for Awakening
Use the 7 day Prayer & Fasting card, asking the Lord to increase your love and passion for Him, and your desire to share your testimony of His love with others. (Prayer & Fasting card available in Worship on January 15 and at andersonhills.org/praying-church.)