Fervent Prayer Part 2
Revivals that transformed nations and brought sinners to repentance by the thousands, came to pass through the fervent prayers of a few burdened Christians. God desires to give us His heart for the people around us. It's time we stop being offended by them, but begin to see them with God's eyes of love and mercy. We must become so overcome with love for the lost, hurting and broken that we fall on our faces in intercession and passionate travail for their deliverance.
On Easter Sunday hundreds were wounded and killed for their faith in Sri Lanka. As part of the body of Christ, did that break your heart and cause you to cry out for the wounded and the families that lost their loved ones? Unfortunately, many have become so desensitized to tragedy that it no longer moves them to tears and intercession. How is God's heart revealed to the world around us if we remain indifferent to their pain and struggles? This is an easy way to measure our love walk. Is our heart moved with compassion by what moves God's?
If you are at a spiritual plateau and feel satisfied where you are, be concerned, very concerned! That's a stagnant pool that breeds vipers of deception and pride, uncaring and unmoved by a generation that's lost and dying.
Ask God to give you His passion for the lost. That can only be achieved as you get close enough to his heart that it transforms yours. You will begin to desire to see His will come to pass on the earth and you’ll be willing to pay the price on your knees to see it happen.
In Acts chapter 2, the believers spent hours praying and seeking God, the results were hearts of praise, joy, favor, generosity, the power to perform miracles, and they saw thousands come to Christ. The heart and nature of God became instilled in them.
As I said in my last devotion, intimacy with Jesus isn't all about you, but you will reap the blessings of a changed heart and attitude as well as the insurmountable pleasure of being used by the Holy Spirit to snatch the lost from the grip of hell, and see lives completely changed for His glory! Yes, there's a price to pay... but the results far outweigh the sacrifice!
Romans 9:1-5 (NLT) With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters.I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.
Matthew 9:36 (NKJV) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Joel 2:17 (NKJV) Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?”
Galatians 6:2 (ESV) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
ACTS 2:42-47 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.