“Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, [the door] will be opened.” Matt 7:7-8 (Amplified)
The Prophet Elisha was a man whose life and ministry exemplified the power of God. Nevertheless, as it is with nature, even good things do come to an end and Elisha had to wrap up his ministry and die. He however had a problem. He had no one to pass the baton of anointing on to as Elijah had done to him when the former was caught up and taken to heaven. So, as his last hurray, he decided to help Jehoash, the king of Israel, to whom he had grown close over the years. For the full story please read 2 Kings 13:14-19. Elisha’s last instruction was for Jehoash to stick arrows on the floor, which unbeknown to Jehoash signified the number of times he would gain military victory over his archenemy the king of Syria. Jehoash’s response to Elisha’s command was at best half-hearted. So, he only stuck three arrows on the ground before stopping. This meant that God would only enable him to defeat his enemy thrice and no more after Elisha had died. While this seemed good, it would not be comprehensive enough to eliminate the threat that the Syrian king posed to Jehoash, which was the outcome the latter really wanted. Consequently, his not being prepared to wholeheartedly carry out Elisha’s instructions cost him far more than he had expected.
Since we are still on the matter of praying for revival, it needs be said that this is not something that we can get involved in half-heartedly in the assumption that God will just have to accept whatever we offer Him. It does not work that way especially since we are the one who most require His help. He has already made the requirement for answered prayers known to us in the passage above. The question is, are we willing to give our all in order to get His all? Are we willing to wholeheartedly pursue the heart of God and stop at nothing until we achieve our stated goal of life-changing revival or are we content to just half-heartedly or occasionally seek His face before giving up, especially if nothing seems to be happening?
Praying for revival is not something we do once and then forget about it. It is a more long-term commitment. It is not something we add to our grace whenever we are about to eat our meals. In contrast, our desire to see God move will sometimes drive the desire for food and even sleep off our agenda as we seek His necessary and vital intervention in our lives. So, while God would appreciate people seeking Him, this is certainly not a task for the faint-hearted. It requires those with dogged determination who would not cease knocking on God’s door until He has acceded to their request. It is such people that make a difference in their world because they just can never remain the same after seeking God and succeeding. God is seeking such people today and you can be one of them. All you have to do to enlist as a prayer warrior is to hunker down and start praying. God will supply all that you would need to succeed – grace, strength and even what to pray. Are you game enough?
Prayer:
Father, your word says that you are searching for people to stand in the gap. I offer myself today. Empower me to pray not just for a spiritual breakthrough but to persist until I experience that breakthrough so that your name can be glorified. Amen