Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #3 - Community Engagement"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM. This week, it is COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #3 - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

"Community engagement forces the church to interact with a world unlike itself. The first-century church was in a very unwelcoming culture. Yet the church thrived. What the church today must not do is allow the culture to dumb down its message. And the church must still move into society. The church must infiltrate culture as yeast does dough. This is the kingdom of God. . . . (Lue 13:20-21). Through community engagement the church becomes like yeast. When the church embeds itself into the community in which it is located, transformation begins. When the church inserts itself in culture as Christ's representatives, things begin to change.

Churches must move into the culture in which they reside. The culture is exemplified by the community in which a church body finds itself. In the four spheres of evangelism mentioned earlier, this would be Judea. Judea is the geographical area stretching from a one-fourth to a five-mile radius around a church's meeting location. A fit church will engage the community in this geographic area.

Community engagement involves three basic approaches: attractional, missional, or connectional. These three approaches can be summed up in the following phrases: come and see (attractional); go and be (missional); go and bring (connectional). " (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p53-54)

Tips: A church that engages community would have:

• Defined where our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the world are;
• Regular meetings with community leaders to find out how we can be of help to them;
• Encourage church members to be involved in community activities like coaching youth sports, joining service clubs, being active in forums, etc;
• Studied the needs of the community;
• Their pastors serving a day a week outside the church;
• Engaged in service evangelism;
• Community recognizing our church for our contributions. 

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Midweek Meditation: "Fitness Sign #2 - Effective Evangelism"

We continue with Gary McIntosh and Phil Stevenson's book "Building the Body" which is about the 12 characteristics of a fit Church. Last week, we talked about OUTREACH. This week, it is EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM.

SIGNS OF FITNESS #2 - EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM

"Evangelism is one of the primary characteristics that help churches become fit. Evangelism provides oxygen to the body of Christ. New birth, growing believers, and an inflow of newly connected followers of Christ breathe life into faith communities.

Churches must be involved in evangelistic endeavors. Churches that do not make the effort to intentionally determine methods to share the gospel will erode in their fitness levels. Churchs that do not involve themselves in an evangelistic emphasis will find themselves aging with no kids or grandkids to carry on their legacy." (McIntosh and Stevenson, "Building the Body", Baker Books, 2018, p37-38)

Tips: A church that effectively evangelizes would have:

• Regular training and mobilizing of members to share their faith;
• Conversions as their primary source of numerical growth;
• Specialized opportunities for members to invite friends;
• Budgets set aside for church planting work;
• Regular baptisms;
• Constantly identifying and targeting unreached people in our communities;
• Give guests a chance to accept Christ at worship services.

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BookPastor >> "On the Block" (Doug Logan)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Nov 30th, 2016.

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TITLE: On the Block: Developing a Biblical Picture for Missional Engagement
AUTHOR: Doug Logan
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016, (202 pages).

What good is a Church mission if missions are only delegated to a subcommittee or a few gifted individuals who say they are called? How sustainable is any mission endeavour without the support of a Church backing? How can a Church witness Christ in the neighbourhood if there is no outreach? In this book about missions in the urban context, author and pastor Doug Logan believes that both the church (ecclesiology) and missions (missiology) need to be simultaneously practiced with Christ as the foundation and purpose of it all. The Church does not exist for itself and Missions cannot be isolated from the Church. The Church has a mission and this mission needs the Church. Logan puts it this way: "Our Christology drives us to be missiological ecclesiologists and ecclesiological missiologists." In other words, when we are in Christ, we live out as Church in mission. He uses four persons as examples to set the stage for this biblical engagement. Since the time of Adam, when Adam sinned, God had already set in motion a redemption plan in Gen 3:15. The story of Nehemiah is not simply about a man but a whole people of God called to build the temple. In Jesus, we see what it means to put the Word into action and to live in the world as people of God. In Paul, we learn about the five ways of addressing the culture of the world.

1. Unveiling the customs and superstitions of the world
2. Unveiling the true character of God
3. Exposing the emptiness of worldliness
4. Revealing the emptiness of culture
5. Revealing the truth of Christ's resurrection.

BookPastor >> "No God But One" (Nabeel Qureshi)

This review was first published on Aug 17th, 2016 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

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TITLE: No God but One: Allah or Jesus?: A Former Muslim Investigates the Evidence for Islam and Christianity
AUTHOR: Nabeel Qureshi
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016, (320 pages).

Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? Is Allah the same as Jesus? This issue costs a tenured professor her job and puts her seminary at the center of a controversy. For the rest of us, it highlights the confusion behind the differences and the similarities between Christianity and Islam. On the one hand, there is a lot of similarities in the Old Testament with the Quran. On the other hand, there are distinct differences in the theology of the person of God. As a convert from Islam, author and speaker Nabeel Qureshi has a personal interest in this one issue, partly because of his acute background understanding of Islam, and also because of his new found faith in Jesus. Having struggled with the differences between Christianity and Islam in a very personal level, he knows why and how people are confused about the whole matter. This book is his attempt to tell the differences between the two great religions and to investigate who God is. For over a decade, he has struggled with the issue, together with thousands of people he have met caught between the theologies of the two faiths. It is hoped that the book will not only clarify the differences but will enable us to pray more knowledgeably for the people caught between the two faiths.

BookPastor >> "Organic Outreach for Churches" (Kevin G. Harney)

This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on Feb 15th, 2012.

conrade

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TITLE: Organic Outreach for Churches: Infusing Evangelistic Passion into Your Congregation
AUTHOR: Kevin G. Harney
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011, (196 pages).

In a clever play on the word 'organic,' Harney is able to compare and contrast what true evangelistic passions means. It is not simply a job delegated to groups that label themselves evangelistic committees or mission teams. Neither is it just sending money or promising prayers to a distant community of need. Those are essentially add-ons, or artificial supplements, or inorganically modified methods of outreach. In a nutshell, organic outreach is about infusing evangelistic passion in all ministries beginning with the leadership in any Christian organization. The need to obey the Great Commission needs to occur at every level, every domain, and in every heart of anyone who calls himself or herself a disciple of Christ. Harney writes passionately:

"The only way outreach will become a natural part of a congregation's life is when every leader and each ministry are gripped by a commitment to fulfill the Great Commission." (13)

Written in four parts, Harney aims to infuse such evangelistic fervour beginning with the HEART of the congregation. He then progresses to the MIND of the congregation by adopting 7 'simple mind shifts' and 6 'levels of influence' to mobilize the whole church.  Part Three is about the doing aspect through the HANDS of the congregation where one can utilize present inherent strengths as well as innovative approaches. Part Four provides tips and ideas about MOUTH that speaks for Christ through vibrant testimonies. To avoid being accused of mere theory only, Harney conscientiously field-tests his ideas with his local church, and 11 other ministry settings, with personal accountability groups. Moreover, this book was not written first. It comes 5 years later after numerous conference discussions and encouragement from friends and acquaintances.

BookPastor >> "Communication Theory for Christian Witness" (Charles H. Kraft)

TITLE: Communication Theory for Christian Witness
AUTHOR: Charles H. Kraft
PUBLISHER: Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1991, (180 pages).

We all believe that communications is important. Whether it is work-related, family-oriented, marriage-centered, or community-work, we all communicate, for we are social creatures. As Christians, we are called to speak the gospel and to communicate it in ways that recipients can understand, and in faithfulness to the pure gospel. In Communication Theory for Christian Witness, Professor Charles Kraft of Fuller Theological Seminary shows us the way ahead to communicate the gospel. For communications is essentially about bridging gaps made by differences in sex, social class, age, education, occupation, subculture, dialect, etc. Kraft begins with the central Messenger: God, that we communicate simply because God first communicates. We learn rules and principles of effective communications. We examine the way of Jesus and how he relates to common folks. Communications has to do with not only sharing the right message but also avoiding what is wrong. He mentions ten myths concerning communications before venturing to talk about a communication theory for outreach.

Midweek Meditation: On Missions

"The mark of a great Church is not in its seating capacity but in its sending capacity." (Mike Stachura)

Midweek Meditation: On Evangelism

"Consider for a moment if it is not evangelism, but rather late-twentieth-century styles of evangelism that deserve our disdain and avoidance. What if evangelism is one of the things that our world needs most?

After all, most people want to talk about things that really matter -
          their sense of God,
          their experiences of meaning or transcendence,
          their attempts to cope with their own mortality,
          their struggles with guilt and goodness,
          their dreams and hopes and deepest longings.

They want to talk about these things because without them, all that is left in life is -
          re-runs and shopping,
          copulation and digestion,
          earning and savings,
          culminating in estate sales and probate."

(Brian McLaren, More Ready Than You Realize, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002, p13-14)


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BookPastor >> "Outreach and the Artist" (Con Campbell)

This review was first published on September 3rd, 2013 at Panorama of a Book Saint.

conrade

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TITLE: Outreach and the Artist: Sharing the Gospel with the Arts
AUTHOR: Con Campbell
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013, (128 pages).

This is a unique contribution to the art of evangelism. We have many books pertaining to the how and the why of evangelism. Not many touch on the beauty and the creativity in terms of letting art speak the wonder of God. This book, written by an artist as well as a scholar tries to speak into the beauty of God using the natural artistic creativity of humans. The three thrusts of the book are about evangelism:

• With the arts; (chapters 2-3)
• Through the arts; (chapter 4)
• To the arts. (chapters 5-7)

In evangelism with the arts, Campbell begins with his personal testimony of his journey through visual arts toward jazz. Paintings and drawings fail to interest him. The piano only motivates him up to a certain point. With the saxophone, something artistic within him finally clicks. It leads him to dedicate more time playing it. Playing it leads him to a love of jazz. Jazz leads him to the Church, but not after a period of grappling between God and jazz. Slowly but surely, he recognizes how jazz can replace God, and makes a conscious decision that instead of allowing jazz to become a god in itself, he will let jazz be a channel to lead people to God. Thus the book of outreach and the artist where Campbell describes not only his own journey from jazz to God, but to help readers find their own stories in terms of evangelism with, through, and to the arts.

The biggest “ministry” for the author is actually the art of listening. He realizes that people are often fed up with the culture that is high in telling people what to do, but low in listening to one another. Even Christians themselves are not immune. Pointing out that the biggest barrier to people is not atheism or Christianity per se, but Christian people, Campbell shares how through jazz, he is able to introduce the person of Jesus. Even if people are resistant to the gospel directly, they will still be open to a good session of jazz. Those who love jazz will find it appealing. Creativity has a purpose, and more importantly, music is a way in which we can infuse our search for personhood with creativity, meaning with spiritual awareness, and evoking thoughts without being rude. For example, a few different jazz players who play together as one united band is a marvelous expression of the Trinity, unique three persons and yet one God. Campbell makes a distinction between professionalism and opportunity. The former is about working out the best quality, while the latter is trying to use music as a means to reach out. Sometimes, being too conscious of using music as a tool for evangelism can unwittingly result in a deterioration of integrity of the music in itself. It is a fine balance.

Some tips include clear communications, where the artists explain exactly what they are doing and why; to acknowledge critics for their honesty; and to avoid 'bait and switch' techniques that bait people with music, and then rudely switch them to a Christian message. Better to be upfront in the first place. For Christians, having appropriate expectations are helpful. Other tips include how to involve the Church in any arts outreach event. One tip in particular is to build rapport. Whether the audience is churched or unchurched, the moment the musician or the artist is able to connect with the audience, a lot can be accomplished. People connect with what is common in all of our hearts: need for security, acceptance, love, care, and the awesome human touch.

In evangelism through the arts, Campbell looks at two ways in which arts-based outreach can be done. The first is the "message" where the message takes priority, and the means to do it is of secondary importance. Theologically, this is based on the foundation of the gospel that needs to be proclaimed and to be heard. We are Christians not because of the name. We are Christians because of the gospel. The second approach is the medium where attention is paid to the way the message is transmitted. Here, the message is infused or incorporated into the medium in such a way that outreach can be done creatively. Whether the message or the medium is used first, it is good to be aware of the pros and cons of each. Campbell then makes a case for the artist to do some self-evaluation to determine which is most appropriate, according to the evangelistic contexts and the gifts in possession.

In evangelism to the arts, Campbell directs his attention to the arts community. This is perhaps the most challenging of all, and the author dedicates three whole chapters to do that. Chapter five invites readers to learn to appreciate the contexts and the subcultures of the artists. What language do they speak? How do they communicate? What vocabulary do they use? How do they live? Who do they hang out with? One way that Christians can learn more about these subcultures is to maintain some connection with them. Credibility is key when it comes to connecting with artists. On the one hand, they dislike pretense, especially when Christians try to say they know music when they are actually non-musicians. On the other hand, they dislike bad quality artists. Chapter six then looks at how many artists who grow up in churches, eventually leave, prompting the author to say: "The church gave them music, and music took them away." He looks at the two reasons why these people leave the Church. The first reason is the incompatible lifestyles. Many musicians hang out to the wee hours of the night, and making it hard for them to be earnest and regular church attendees. The second reason is the way the rest of the Church stereotypes the musicians, and even ostracize them and alienates them. Campbell then homes in on the main problem. It is not the music or the art, the musicians or the artists, the Church or the wrong stereotypes. It is idolatry. For artists, any infatuation with glorifying the acts is tantamount to idolizing the arts. In an industry where total devotion is expected, artists are trapped between creating good quality work, and letting the pursuit become an end in itself. Learning to recognize and then to work toward dethroning such an idol is the key to survival. A great way forward is to look for those who have successfully modeled a lifestyle that is honouring the arts without making them an idol. Learn from various individuals. Campbell includes in the book some short profiles of several artists like Keeley Manca Lambert (Acting); Richard Maegraith (Jazz); Dan McGowan (Comedian); Kristin Berardi (Music and Photography); Ian McGilvray (Painting); Keith Birchley (Classical Music); Hayley Neal (Performing Arts).

So What?

This is a special work of art, written by a musician as well as a scholar. As a jazz musician, Campbell understands music and the temptations that go with idolizing it. As a scholar, he thinks through the implications of theology and the arts. Campbell is also an Associate Professor of New Testament at TEDS. One of his recent books is a theological one, called "Paul and Union with Christ." You can read my review of that book here. Written in a very easy to read, but yet powerfully anchored on the premises of the gospel and theological integrity, Campbell urges readers to be creative in any evangelistic endeavours; to be active in engaging the arts community through genuine interest; to be welcoming in terms of openly appreciating the works of musicians through sincere engagement; to encourage musicians and artists from within the Christian community to see the bigger picture of God who can work with, through, and use Christians to speak to the arts community.

I like the attention given to arts in this book. While it seems like a book that attempts to evangelize the community of artists and musicians, readers will be pleasantly surprised that the book offers much more. In fact, it even invites readers to take the plunge and do the arts, if not, to be more appreciative of the arts. Learn to communicate our intent for sharing the gospel in love. Instead of trying to "bait and switch" any unsuspecting artist, be frank with them and state our intention upfront. Ask for permission. Be genuinely interested in what they are doing. Let the love of God spur all of us to good music and great art, and in the midst of enjoying the arts, we get a glimpse of the beauty of God. In the midst of marveling at the wonders of God, we get a glimpse of the human person created in the image of God.

You do not need to be an artist in order to appreciate this book. What you need is to have an eye for appreciating the arts, and an open heart to learn, to be humble, and to ask the experienced professional to teach us. Who knows. Our humility and willingness to learn from them can teach us a thing or two about faith and spirituality. Our learning disposition can also encourage non-Christians to adopt the same attitude when it comes to faith and the gospel.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade

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I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

BookPastor >> "Awake" (Noel Brewer Yeatts)

How do we wake ourselves up from any spiritual slumber? What does it take to stay awake to the compassion of Christ for the world? If you do not know where or how to start, begin by reading this book. This review was first published at Panorama of a Book Saint on March 18th, 2013.

conrade 

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TITLE: Awake: Doing a World of Good One Person at a Time
AUTHOR: Noel Brewer Yeatts
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012, (176 pages).

Good works that flow out of the Good Word in the heart. Doing good to the world one person at a time. Reaching a larger world regardless of how small or how limited one is. All it matters is a big heart and willing hands. This is exactly what Noel Brewer Yeatts has done. Spurred in part by Timothy Keller's book, "Generous Justice," Yeatts attempts to help believers "wake" up to the reality of a world that needs us more than we can ever imagine. She makes a bold call to try to take readers through various shifts. I summarize some of my seven reflections as I read the book.

First, we need to move from guilt-driven kind of a help toward a justice minded perspective. Using the example of Mother Teresa and the story of the Tuohy family who helps a boy get back on his feet, Yeatts points out the need for a kind of help that will aim to make a difference one person at a time. If one is guilt-driven, one may only get to help on a knee-jerk manner that does not last. If one is led by justice, one will persevere in being creative and convicted about helping a person a long way.

Second, we need to move from sleepy knowledge toward wakeful action. So often, we allow our accumulation of knowledge bog us down to inaction. Like Aquinas, we need to choose to "feel compassion than to know the meaning of it." It is not enough simply to be aware of what is going on. We need to take responsibility for this knowledge and to do something about it. The trouble is, far too many people o not think their participation will make any difference. This is tragic not only for the needy, but also for us. So what are the rich of the world, who as a minority possess the majority of the world's wealth, doing about the rest of the world, who not only are poor, but seem to exist only to serve the desires of the rich?

Third, we need to move from a mentality of handouts to compassionate action. Giving handouts is a cop out to reduce one's guilt feeling. Action that stems from a deep compassion will resemble Jesus' being moved by compassion to action. That means learning to move from mere giving to actual serving, distant awareness to up close and personal human touch.

Four, our giving and helping need to move from haphazard help to strategic assistance. Women in general are more vulnerable. They are also more influential. Like the saying in Ghana, that if a man is helped, it is just one man; but if a woman is helped, the nation is also helped. One strategy then is to pay special attention to the needs of women and to train them to develop help channels in their respective contexts.

Five, move from vague ideas about help toward crystal clear ideas. Take the issue of the lack of clean water. It spawns a host of problems with regards to diarrhoea, malaria, typhoid, as well as the good health. Without good health, one cannot have a good quality of life. Helping the poor does not mean just addressing symptoms. It also means addressing root causes.

Six, we need to move from a boring but safe lifestyle to a bold and significant form of faith. It means radical plans with our own lives. It means learning to make our lives count. It means living a worthwhile life for others. Helping the poor is not simply just wearing a T-shirt. It means wearing the needs of the poor through active engagement with the rich AND the poor. We need to evangelize the former and to be an agent to touch the latter. We need to speak up for the voiceless, listen to the silenced, see the marginalized, and to feel that the world as it is right now, is moving toward injustice.

Seven, we need to move from a sense of complacency to a sense of urgency. I think it is an apt reminder that the biggest tragedy for many people is not because they are successful, but when they are successful in things that ultimately do not matter much. Yeatts urge readers to actively join groups that advocate for the poor and vulnerable; to invest in a child; to be an active part of infrastructure improvements in the needy world; and even to make a trip to the poorest of the poor to experience first hand the reality of injustice, poverty, and suffering.

This book is about changing the world, beginning with changing the hearts of anyone who wants to do some good in the world. The primary audience is essentially the rich West, but the scope can be easily enlarged to include other groups. Containing many stories of faith and trust, success and disappointments, Yeatts encourages us not to look at the problem, be discouraged and then do nothing. Instead, she urges us to look at what is possible, be encouraged, and then do something, even if it means just one life or one small situation at a time. Three thoughts come to mind as I marvel at the resilience and the industry of Yeatts. First, we are not responsible to solve all the problems of the whole world, just part of it. Second, we are not meant to help everybody in the world, just who we can reach. Third, we are not responsible for the ills of the world, but we are responsible if we do not do anything about it. If any of these thoughts can be planted in the reader, this book will have done its job. I'm sure readers will be moved. It is a fitting reminder that while we are not responsible for solving all the problems of the world, we are responsible for those things that we can do something about.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Baker Books and Graf-Martin Communications without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Making Disciples

Here is a video that brings about a refreshing way to understand discipleship. Four active words describe the way discipleship ought to be like:

1. Love people, just like Jesus
2. Liberate people from being enslaved to systems, procedures, structural matters, programs, etc.
3. Lead through serving one another
4. Launch people into the world.

One reservation I have when watching such clips is that it is tempting to throw away the old just to make way for the new. The 'wow' factor that such videos creates can cause some people to throw away the proverbial baby with the bathwater. Programs are still important. Ensuring announcements, events, and all church activities are still essential in the daily life of any Church. Church buildings and structures still have its rightful place. The key thing is to note "less of" and "more of." Targeted at churches that have become mostly inward looking and little outreach, this video will be most effective when people are drawn to action, to move from passivity about the lost to seeking actively to share the gospel with others.


conrade

"The Bible" Miniseries on TV

Here is the publicity newsletter I received this morning. It begins March 3rd, 2013 and the last episode on Easter Sunday March 31st. Tune in to HISTORY channel.

For two hours every Sunday night for five weeks, from March 3rd through Easter Sunday on March 31st, The History Channel will be airing the epic Bible miniseries produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice, The Apprentice) and Roma Downey (Touched By An Angel). Imagine what will happen when 1 million Christians invite their friends, family and neighbors over to watch the Bible come to life like never before? You can make a difference in the lives of your friends, family, community and our country by sharing the story of Jesus and the redemptive message of the Bible in this powerful way! (Bibleparties.com)

Here are some links to more resources.

• Bible viewing host guide (pdf)
• Postcard invitation (pdf)
• Epic story of love booklet (pdf)
• Webinar
• Trailer

You can see an episode guide in my previous blog article here.
conrade

Survival or Revival? (Revival Praying: H.O.P.E)

How is your prayer life? What do you usually pray about? When you go to a prayer gathering, what are the kind of things people pray about? These questions are dealt with in this article, which makes a case for a renewed understanding of prayers. Prayer is less of asking for things, but more of building up a relationship with God. In praying, we let God be God, and let God show us our true need. St Francis of Assisi recognizes this human flaw, and recommends the following:

"When we pray to God we must be seeking nothing - nothing." (Saint Francis of Assisi)

James 4:3 warns us: "And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure."


A) Survival Praying
In many churches, whenever there is a prayer meeting, chances are, it will be some kind of a survival-related prayer. In my years as a Christian, nearly every prayer meeting is filled with requests for some personal issues or some form of intercession. If there is a major illness by someone, or an emergency requests, the numbers go up. If there is a major exam coming up, panicking students shoot prayer requests in droves. In times of danger or uncertainty, prayers gush forth as if God does not already know. I call these "survival prayers."

• My mother is very sick, please pray for healing.
• My exam is near, please pray for my Math paper
• My son's leg is injured, please pray that he will get well soon
• Our Church is struggling with leadership matters, so please pray that God will raise up leaders.
• "Lord, please give me ___________" ; "God, please provide us _______________..."
• ....

Sometimes we do come before God saying things to God as if God is not aware of our needs.  Just looking at the prayer requests that come through a Church's website, practically all of them are asking for something. A job, more money, mending a relationship, recovering from depression, dealing with particular emotional needs, spiritual needs, and so on. There are very few, even none, that talks about holiness, or about revival. All of them touches upon some earthly survival matter. Sometimes I wonder, some Christians come to God in prayer only when they have problems. Other times, where are they when God is waiting?

As long as we are all fixated on survival matters, we will be locked into a mode of survival praying. If our prayer routine comprises mainly asking God for stuff, we reduce God to a spiritual dispenser of answers. We treat our prayers as magical keys to unlock the spiritual treasures the Holy Spirit can give. We treat God as a heavenly Santa Claus. As long as we remain in this mode, we will never really grow out of survival praying.

B) Revival Praying

For many churches, in fact, more than 90% of them have more than 90% of the prayers centered around needs. Very few actually pray for revival or for some form of spiritual awakening. Put it this way, it is hard to awaken a sleepy soul. Most of the time, when one is in pain, one will then pray very hard. At other times, the soul gravitates toward wanting to do things according to one's comfort level. Revival praying is essentially learning to live beyond our own needs, beyond asking for physical needs of people around us, and beyond the four walls of our churches, and organizations we represent. Revival praying focuses more on God's will rather than man's perpetual need for comfort or for meeting of some need. Revival praying demands more out of self and even more out from God. Here are some examples of revival praying and prayers.

• "Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God" (William Carey)
• "Give me Scotland else I die!" (John Knox)
• "Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down." (John Wesley)
• “You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame.” (William Booth)
• “It is God’s will through His wonderful grace, that the prayers of His saints should be one of the great principal means of carrying on the designs of Christ’s kingdom in the world. When God has something very great to accomplish for His church, it is His will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayers of His people; as is manifest by Ezekiel 36:37. and it is revealed that, when God is about to accomplish great things for His church, He will begin by remarkably pouring out the spirit of grace and supplication (see Zechariah 12:10).” (Jonathan Edwards) 

Indeed, when we pray the Lord's prayer, that "Thy kingdom come," we are also praying "Thy will be done." When we pray for revival, we are offering up ourselves as ready to obey God, instead of ordering God to be ready to obey us. Let me suggest four ways toward Revival Praying.

C) Revival Praying: H.O.P.E

I use the word "HOPE" as an acronym for what it takes to undertake revival praying instead of being locked into a circular form of survival praying. First, HOLINESS pleases God. Every person who has a desire for revival or a spiritual awakening must determine in themselves to be holy for God is holy. They pray in a way as to ask Go for help to be a holy person. Holiness is definitely God's will for our lives. See how the Scriptures affirm this.

• "I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. " (Romans 6:19)
• "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24) 
• "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) 

A people with a key desire to want to be holy, is immediately fodder for revival. God is pleased when His people call upon Him to be more holy according to the Lord's choosing. Surely, if there is any prayer request to want to be holy for the Lord, the Lord will cherish and take pleasure.

Second, OBEDIENCE is more important than sacrifice. We can burn midnight oil pleading to God for mercy on our needs, or intercede for some others with regards to some dire straits situation. Yet, it is the obedience to the Word of God that is more important than the sacrifice of hours we put into spiritual work. There is no substitute for obedience. Just like praying. We all know that prayer is important, but how much do we actually pray through the day? Knowing prayer is one thing. Actually praying is another. Oswald Chambers has said, "Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work." If that is the case, it is less important to talk about prayer and more important to actually pray. Prayer is obedience. The hymn of John H Sammis says it very well.

"When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Third, renewed PREACHING is a mark of revival. Far too many sermons and messages center around giving good advice. What we need is red-hot preaching that presents Christ as the center, as the Person, as the highlight of every meeting, every gathering, and every Christian occasion. If we do not preach Christ, then what are we doing? Pray for your preachers. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move. Look at how the passion of Paul has been re-ignite by the Holy Spirit even when he was under arrest in Acts 26.

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.' (Acts 26:28-29) "

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes in the beginning of his book, "The Cost of Discipleship."

"Revival of church life always brings in its train a richer understanding of the Scriptures. Behind all the slogans and catchwords of ecclesiastical controversy, necessary though they are, there arises a more determined quest for him who is the sole object of it all, for Jesus Christ himself." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Preach the Word in season and out of season. That is a key part of revival. Pray for your preachers. Pray for the preaching every Sunday. Pray that the Spirit moves among the people as Christ is preached.

Finally, EVANGELISM is a mark of revival. There is no greater proof of one's reawakening than the desire to share the gospel with all. Look at the early Church. The numbers grow tremendously with each proclamation of the Gospel. The book of Acts records many being added to the church when the preaching of the Word is done and when the gospel is shared throughout the regions.

"God uses people. God uses people to perform His work. He does not send angels. Angels weep over it, but God does not use angels to accomplish His purposes. He uses burdened broken-hearted weeping men and women." (David Wilkerson)

Let us awaken ourselves to a renewed journey to holiness. Let us gird up and be ready to obey what the Bible is teaching us. Let us pray for our preachers, that they will preach Christ passionately and that the Word of God take root in the lives of all who hear the Word. Let us go forth to evangelize with our testimony of what Christ has done in our lives.

May revival praying take hold of more churches. For the sake of the Kingdom of God.

conrade