Revival God’s Way – Radical Faith, Defiant Prayer
Revival God’s Way – Radical Faith, Defiant Prayer
Major Anita Caldwell
Retired Officer
USA Southern Territory
In the early 1800’s, Charles Finney began evangelizing near Evans Mills, New York where Daniel Nash joined him to start a prayer ministry. Both Charles and Daniel were convinced that prayer had to be the foundation of any revival. When God guided them to a location, Father Nash, as he was known, would slip into the town ahead of the campaign and invite two or three people to join him in prayer. At times another man, Abel Clary, would join Father Nash. They would rent a small basement or room and there they would fast and pray before and during the revival meetings. As Finney preached to hundreds, his prayer warriors were in prayer before God. Hundreds came to know Christ as Savior because of these evangelistic campaigns founded on prayer. (Prevailing Prince of Prayer – Daniel Nash by Pastor J. Paul Reno, 1989, Hopefaithprayer.com)
We must have radical faith coupled with defiant prayer that refuses to accept that revival, transformation, is no longer possible. Prayer must be the foundation for any forward movement of God. Prayer changes us and opens our hearts to His guidance. There are Scriptures that remind us to pray:
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Ephesians 6:18 “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Psalm 34:17 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
Why pray? God calls us to pray and to pray in faith. He hears the cry of His children. Leading our people into prayer is necessary to prepare their hearts for revival and renewal of their commitment to Christ.
What should we ask in prayer? While we pray for our nation, our city, our people’s needs, also pray for revival and renewal in your corps. Pray specifically that God will transform hearts. Pray that God will lead you to both unbelievers who need Him and steps to take towards winning them to Jesus.
When should we start praying? Once you plan the evangelistic revival services, begin to pray. Pray each Sunday and at each gathering. Pray that God will prepare your heart as the leader and the hearts of your people who regularly attend. Pray for those who do not know Jesus as Savior.
The following are various forms of prayer your people might choose:
- Prayer Groups - In the past, we held prayer meetings weekly. The church became too busy to meet, or the time of prayer became a Bible Study. This caused a crack in the church’s foundation. Today, there are many opportunities for prayer.
- Invite your people to meet at a specific time in the chapel around the altar.
- Create space and time with quiet music and less conversation.
- Invite your people to invite a group to pray each day so it fits their schedule.
- Invite your employees to meet for prayer.
- A group could meet online to pray together.
- Prayer Room - There was a season when most churches had an active prayer room. Resurrect your prayer room so that people can come and go with guided prayer. If you are a corps officer, use the prayer room. Make time and space to pray and listen to God’s voice. A prayer room can include the following:
- A prayer guide that includes praying for revival and renewal.
- Quiet music that remains on repeat for those who come and go.
- A cross and bowl where people can place their prayer requests.
- A map of our worldwide overseas officers and world needs.
- A rocking chair, an altar with carpet, electric candles.
- Create a sign-up sheet that places at least two adults in the prayer room praying during the revival meeting hours.
- 24 Hour Prayer - Set a schedule for people to come and go from the chapel over 24 hours so that prayer is continual. For those who want to pray at night but are unable to come to the chapel, allow them freedom to pray at home during that time.
- Make the sign-up schedule in advance and announce it on Sunday.
- Make a prayer guide.
- Encourage your youth to pray.
- Text a reminder.
- Three to Six Hours of Led Prayer Focus – This is a group of people who come together and follow a plan of prayer for up to six hours. You will be surprised how quickly the time goes. We experienced this in Russia with a group of cadets. We did not want to leave, and we were surprised when the time was up.
- The Place - If the group is small, find a smaller room that is comfortable. If the group is large, meet in the chapel.
- The Plan - Prayers of Adoration - Who God is, Prayers of Thanksgiving, Prayers of Silence, Song Prayers, Prayers from the Psalms, Prayers for God to transform, Prayers for the Nation, Prayers for the City, Video Prayers of Jesus Prayers for the corps, Personal Prayer Needs. Prayers for unbelievers.
- Fasting and Prayer - We forget that Jesus encouraged us to fast and pray. In Mathew 4:4, Jesus set the example of fasting. We find Paul and Barnabas praying and fasting in Acts 14:23. Daniel fasted and prayed in Daniel 9:3. In the Bible, fasting was the discipline of not eating or drinking. Today, people choose to fast from many things such as texting, television, news or something that is important to them. The goal is to pray in earnest with radical faith and prayer. Set aside whatever it is that can distract you and pray fervently.
The greater question is this: Do you want revival? Do you want transformed hearts? Do you want unbelievers to find forgiveness? If you do, radical faith with defiant prayer is your starting point. Trust God fervently and pray in faith believing God will bring revival.
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Father, We confess that in our rush to find more efficient ways to do things and in our impatience, we have too often pushed prayer aside. But we know there is no substitute for coming before You in a worshipful attitude, unhurried and with open hearts to share our hearts, confess our sins, our struggles and our doubts and to listen, yes, to listen to what You have to say to us. We wonder why we don't see You move among us, but we realize that too often we have never even bothered to invite You into any of the things we have planned. Please forgive us, Lord. Help us to be more attentive to prayer so that You can revive us as individuals and our Army corps and then our Army at large. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Our International Army
Thinking It Through
Major Caldwell has outlined a number of ways to employ prayer as well as why prayer is so important for revival. But it takes effort. Does revival not come because people are unwilling to put forth the effort or have we in our generation forgotten how to pray?
Notable Quotables
To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God. - A.W. Tozer
Sometimes the old hymns say it best. That is the case with this one, "Sweet Hour of Prayer."
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory