A New Male Awakening
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A New Male Awakening
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Occasionally, the exasperated question arises, “Where are the men?” The question is caused by the male leadership vacuum in the Church that often precedes spiritual revival.
Pray for your fellow intercessor.
It usually gives rise to a spectrum of answers. Some point to a lack of discipleship among men. Others point to the feminization of worship and prayer that alienates men as women have stepped into the gap and taken the lead. And there is the constant portrayal of men as primitive and stupid in the entertainment culture. The list goes on. I have addressed some of the core issues in a recent article about an emerging prayer movement among men I wrote entitled Men Praying Everywhere.
But I think a spiritual issue lies at the root of the periodic absence of men in church leadership. To understand it, we must go all the way back to Genesis and the tragic turn of events in the lives of the first man and woman.
Yahweh went for a walk in the lush garden He had made on earth in the cool of the day, looking forward to fellowship with Adam and Eve, His human image bearers. But they had heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden and hid because of what they had just done. So, God called out to the man He had made in His image, “Where are you?”
That is the sad moment described in Genesis 3:8 -9 when God discovered the rebellion that changed everything. Instead of a husband and wife who would multiply and fill the earth with His glory, He now had rivals – infected with the same desire to be like God that caused Satan, their seducer, to be kicked out of heaven.
Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God embedded two things in a man’s soul: to yield to the leadership of women and to hide from God. Adam had given in to Eve when she believed the serpent and proposed they should break the one rule God had given them. When they did, God-consciousness gave way to self-consciousness, and they hid from Yahweh. The consequences were disastrous: they were banished from the presence of God, relegated to hard work and painful childbearing, and their perfectly harmonious relationship had now come under severe strain.
Men and women were now left with a gaping emotional need. As John Eldridge surmises in his book Wild at Heart, a man’s core question became, “Do I have what it takes?” For the woman, it became, “Am I lovely and loved?” God designed them so they would find the answers to those questions in a relationship with Him, but their sinful nature has both looking in all the wrong places.
Men have since then associated their identity with their vocation, achievement, and conquest. And they tend to compensate for the hole in their soul by trying to control things and people around them. Eldredge and others believe that there is a warrior spirit in them that has been crushed by modern culture and comes out through inappropriate anger and violence. It’s a warrior spirit that, by God’s transforming power, can become the driving force behind strong male leadership in His kingdom, powerful intercessory prayer, and passionate evangelism.
History gives hope here. There have been times when revivals swept through portions of the world. They were ushered in by strong leaders and praying men and resulted in a surge of spiritual fervor, missions, evangelism, and justice activism, all spearheaded by men.
The last great nationwide male revival took place a decade or two ago when Promise Keepers swept through our nation. It all started with Coach Bill McCartney, head coach of the Colorado State Buffalos football team. God took hold of his heart when he heard his pastor say in his Sunday sermon that the success or failure of a husband is visible in the countenance of his wife. He looked over to his wife and saw only pain. It convicted him deeply. He gathered a handful of men around him. They began praying, formulating the Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, and holding each other accountable. It soon grew into a movement as men became convicted of the abdication of their spiritual leadership. I had the privilege of running the prayer room of their conference in Minneapolis, MN, and I remember standing in the Metrodome listening to 60,000 men sing, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Tears flowed. The next night, a handful of us prayerwalked the dome’s exterior due to protestors. We heard the thousands of voices raise to heaven as one singing, “It is Well With My Soul.” The otherwise noisy area around the stadium fell still. Protestors lowered their signs and listened. People hurrying along stopped in their tracks and bowed their heads. Men were praying and worshipping God with power and passion!
No one really knows why this movement that impacted hundreds of thousands of men ebbed away so quickly. Twenty-five years later, we need a new male awakening.
I think it is time we stop lamenting and analyzing and start believing in a God who is more than able to overcome everything that is keeping men from becoming passionate, Spirit-filled, prayer-driven spiritual leaders in America’s Church today. There is no question that we need such an awakening, and there is no question that God can do it.
For that reason, I call upon all who feel stirred to pray for a male awakening to turn their faith in an omnipotent God who loves to bring revival into fervent united prayer. Let’s roll out the welcome mat for Him to move among our men!
There is reason to be thankful. The number of men who are part of Intercessors for America seems to have grown significantly during the past couple of years. Let us pray that this growth will snowball! Here are a few more suggestions for prayer:
- Pray for God to stir up relentless prayer for revival among men.
- Pray for prayer movements like Men Praying Everywhere to gain momentum.
- Pray for God to stir in the hearts of men to seek Him and rediscover their God-given roles as spiritual servant leaders to their families, churches, and communities.
- Pray for discipleship programs and men’s ministries in churches to veer away from entertainment and towards rediscovering prayer, the Word, and the Great Commission.
- Pray for women to embrace the emerging spiritual leadership of men.
- Pray that the lies Satan has sown into the souls of men – to seek their identity in their achievements and vocations – be exposed and replaced with the truth that they are sons of the One True King.
- Pray for men to accept the mantle of priesthood and take their place as intercessors in the Kingdom of God.
Father in heaven, move among Your sons in the American Church. Ignite a new passion in them, a new desire for intimacy with You, a rediscovery of the priestly ministry of intercession You desire for them, and servant leadership in their homes, churches, and communities. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Check out this video below to learn about the “Men Praying Everywhere” initiative:
Share your own prayers for a male awakening below.
Remco Brommet is a pastor, spiritual-growth teacher, and prayer leader with over 40 years of experience in Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the U.S. He was born and raised in the Netherlands and pastored his first church in Amsterdam. He moved to the U.S. in 1986. He and his wife, Jennifer, live north of Atlanta. When not writing books, he blogs at www.deeperlifeblog.com and assists his wife as a content developer and prayer coordinator for True Identity Ministries. Jennifer and Remco are passionate about bringing people into a deeper relationship with Christ. Photo Credit: Jack Sharp on Unsplash.
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Father in Heaven
You are mighty leader and the ultimate example for man. You are the leader above leaders and the perfect example for husbands and fathers. We ask that you touch men with a fresh anointing to be the examples first in their homes. Open their eyes to truth and the call you have on their lives to lead, provide, protect and most importantly to love you and follow you with their whole heart. We know if they do that father, if they seek you first and your righteousness, all other “things” will be taken care of or added unto them. So father turn their hearts to you and grant them a steadfast love and devotion to your Son. Everything else any other concerns pale in priority. We trust you with them Lord that you will work in their hearts. In Jesus name, Amen
Remco: Thank you for your words and call to prayer and action. Men Praying Everywhere https://menpraying.org/ is an echo of the Biblical call to me to take prayer and spiritual action to the very places where we want to see God at work. Let us sieze this opportunity to respond to God. We have what is needed – the opportunity
– Our Culture Desperately Needs Godly Men.
– Equipping men to pray and act is a strategic kingdom priority.
– Within men is the DNA of revolutionary impact.
The solution: 2 Timothy 2:2 Equip and Deploy leaders of men who will disciple men to be on mission with God in THEIR mission field. 80% of men in our churches are already in place in business, education, government, non-profits and families to take this revolution there. They need leaders of men who will disciple and deploy them where they are already placed. Nehemiah 4:20 says, “Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!” Leaders call God’s men to spiritual battle for our families, communities and nation. What are leaders calling men to do?
Here is the question that we must answer as men. What battles are God calling us to fight together? Surely for our kids in public school, for a healthy culture in our businesses, for civility and common sense in our cities, for justice for all who are oppressed. Allow me to end with Micah 6:8… Here is what the Lord requires – 1) All to walk humbly with God, 2 To show mercy to all who are oppressed and in need. 3. To do justice….. Justice is to make things right in our culture so that the same mercy is not needed again. Let’s do justice for people who love Jesus to come and offer their gifts for service in the places where God calls them. let’s do justice by ministering to the orphan, widow, prisoner as Jesus calls us to, let’s do justice by allowing the children to come to Jesus because that is the kingdom of heaven… Let’s do justice by loving and accepting each other in the Body of Christ. If you love Jesus, you are my brother or sister. I need you. We were meant to be together, worshipping together, serving together, changing the world together. “The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. Romans 8:19, 22 The Passion Translation Let’s choose to answer God’s call.
Let’s come together pray 🙏 male support and praise them. Stop condemning Men they are God children.
Dear Father, Thank you for delivering us from the evils of feminism and its lies about “toxic masculinity.” Thank you for raising up men to be like Jesus in their character and attitudes toward God and women. Please continue to bring out Spirit-filled men of prayer who will hear and act as Holy Spirit leads them. Thank you for other men’s prayer initiatives like https://prayersurgenow.blogspot.com/.
We thank you for the godly men who are leading now; please strengthen them and protect them and their families in the days ahead. We pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
Men and women were made to minister together. The word helpmate doesn’t mean slave but one who is alongside in life. There is something powerful about men as the covering that is missing among the churches….I remember as a child listening to my Dad pray…I felt heaven and I know my Mom felt peace….I feel that same peace when I hear my husband or my son pray….that prayer gives strength and helps me walk alright. I believe in women in leadership but the devil has marred female leadership either making it demeaning toward men or making it lake strength because men are not there to uphold and lead the way. As a mother of sons my prayer is for God to restore strength to our nation and to restore our sons. I see sons in my workplace, sons in church, sons on my street , sons everywhere that need this prayer. Thank you .
I pray for the men in N.Y.,that they would experience a personal encounter with Jesus Christ 🙏, I also am in agreement with your prayers 🙏
The America white male has been under attack! They desperately need another nationwide prayer movement. I am saddened to see how male leadership has declined. There are a few good TV personality’s that seem fairly bold with speaking truth to power. But we also need the every day male to stand up and lead.
This edition of the IFA newsletter really spoke to my spirit.
I am a part of an Intercessory Prayer Group that has been praying for God’s will to be done in the lives of men.
When men take their rightful place, in the home and in churches, change will come.
I stand in agreement – men of God arise!! I do see some peripheral but important issues that may impact how and when this will happen that I want to comment on/pray about. The whole question of masculinity and femininity, even in the church has not always been defined by God and His Word. What is a Godly man or a Godly woman? Cultural norms, how personality types and sexuality intersect, personal experiences with the opposite sex, religious norms (which may or may not be Biblical) – and now (sadly) we can add gender dysphoria to this list of things that can impact defining “male/masculine” and “female/feminine” as God defines them. All of these things can “warp” the way we define them. Since YHVH created us, both male and female, in His image, then He embodies what we see as both male and female attributes. We are meant to, actually predestined to be “conformed to the image of His Son, Yeshua” Romans 8:29, and in Romans 12:2 we are told to “not allow ourselves to be conformed to the standards of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds”. We are meant to complement one another, not be in conflict and competition. “So I am asking, LORD – please reveal Your definition of “male” and “female”, and Your definition of how we are to function within the family and within the church and the community through the instruction of Holy Spirit through Your Holy Word. May we each and everyone allow Holy Spirit to dispossess us of any erroneous views, to heal us of any past abuses in our relationships, to set aside ungodly examples of what it means to be male or female, and bring us each into a healthy self-image borne of knowing You intimately.
We pray all together to renew our nation God will bless and take away negative spirits.
Mr. Brommet,
Thank you for the insight you received about Adam: (1) giving into Eve and (2) avoiding God. I feel the first pressure and resist the second tendency.
I feel that a serious attempt must be made to address the statement about Promise Keepers: “No one really knows why this movement that impacted hundreds of thousands of men ebbed away so quickly.”. It is important to at least essentially answer this statement. Otherwise, the next men’s movement may “quickly ebb away”.
During the Promise Keepers wave, I was in my late-30’s/early-40s and was/am “keeping my promises”. I primarily did not participate in Promise Keepers because I received no release from the Lord to do so. Secondarily, the fellows recruiting me were either (a) organizational/motivational/activity-oriented men or (b) those recognizing the need for deeper relationships and being willing to follow the types (a)’s. (“Eve” also advocated my involvement.) When I presented the biblical template of “Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) to them, it was avoided, explained away, not endorsed, etc. Instead, the type (a)’s seemed caught in the popular authority movement of the times.
I suspect that for the next men’s movement (whether intercession, service, apostolic appointments, etc.) to persist and “add all other things”, it must overtly teach and apply the Matthew 6:33 standard … just like Jesus did!
Precious Lord God, we know that men lift up and men crush nations and peoples and families. We ask you God that men recognize this great and terrible responsibility you have given them to have the power to lift up or destroy. Lord God I pray that the spirit of resentment and vengeance in so many men, that I see be turned to a deep understanding of their need for your guidance. You are the Father we have all longed for and the strong leader we should seek to emulate. We ask for the FIRE of conviction to descend from You and fall on all men! Amen.
This was about the very best Christian video that I have ever heard because I am a man and wholly agree.
As a man, I have looked for leadership appropriate to me. I have been waiting a long time for this.
praying God please help our world.
Father, You must be speaking this to all Your intercessors because this is on my list for prayer & fasting. Lord, we thank You that NO ONE can outsmart You! Their enemies will fall into the traps that they’ve designed for American Christian men! Lead Christian men into the path of being warriors to do battle WITH You & for YOUR purposes, in Jesus’ name! Amen!
I ask Holy God for there to be an awakening that values both men and women; the male and female leadership with be honored and valued. That both men and women will find their place in God’s kingdom and fulfill their God given destinies.
I know communication with the Lord is the only hope we have to save this nation and get godly leaders. The Bible says “Keep on asking, knocking, seeking.”
Father in heaven, e we praise you for your mercy and grace! We praise you for directing our prayers according to your will by the Holy Spirit working in us. Oh Lord, unite the church of Jesus Christ in this prayer, that you will raise up men praying everywhere! Our prayer group, as you know, has been praying for an increase in the passion of men toward following Christ and leading their homes and communities, in soaking the truth in love to a dark world that is lost and dying. Lord, build your church as you desire, and raise up men from every generation to stand up in this day of evil and declare that Jesus is Lord! Call men everywhere to repent and believe and seek your face and turn from their apathy, their distraction, their comfort, their sins, their idols and turn to the Living God who loves them and wants to bless them with grace and truth and power to overcome and lead like Jesus as they lay down their lives for others. Oh God, set men apart for the glory of Jesus I pray. Amen
Most men who avoid frequent church attendance, likely do so for two reasons. One, the sermons are understandably “Milk Toast” designed to be taken in by all ages and both genders. Actual men tire of this after a lifetime of variations of the same old thing.
Two, actual men crave the company of other actual men, in a manly and private atmosphere, with sermons designed to solve men’s problems in such areas as “fear of and angary reactions to a lack of biblical respect from his wife” and, as they get older, they need council on their declining ability to properly and fully embrace his wife in their love making.
What is an “Actual Man”? One who knows he IS an actual man and acts accordingly but with kindness and thoughtfulness to others. One who is also his wife’s lifetime champion and protector.
YES Lord God Almighty! Let there be overwhelming amounts of prayer coming from ALL MEN in every church, business, household and sports event throughout this broken country 🙏! Strength in numbers! It’s a long time coming so BRING IT ON BROTHERS IN CHRIST!
It depends on where you look. Some churches have many women as pastors and leaders. Other churches are predominantly male- led. It is not good to focus on just one denomination. Don’t blame the women though, by claiming that men’s problems stem from Eve and that women do not lead churches correctly. The focus on the dichotomy between male and female detracts from the needed focus on God. Both genders have strengths and weaknesses, as pertains to church leadership. The larger issue is, are they focused on God? Current society tends to take away the focus on God, in some cases actually oppose it, leaving differences between male and female to be blamed. Look instead at the forces that would have people lose awareness of God.
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been praying for God to raise up men who will boldly proclaim “Thus says the LORD” in spite of cultural opposition, mockery, intimidation or rejection; political leaders who will first proclaim that God exists, and that all who seek him will find him; cultural leaders who will champion men as fathers, grandfathers and leaders of their own families, not how men are maligned in media today.
I will pray. I may not have the voice or platform from which to speak, but I will pray. God will raise up men to declare his righteousness and justice–not the vengeance camouflaged as justice today. This is my prayer. May our great God be glorified!
And…may you and I be among those who honor him today.
In Nov 2018 I felt led of the Spirit to write a message to the church the gist of which was, ” Blow the trumpet of prayer in Zion you priests of the Lord. The pastors and elders of the churches with whom I showed that message basically ignored it. Two weeks ago during small group the Spirit highlighted a verse from “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The line “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.” I proclaimed that to the group and we all were much encouraged. The next Sunday a woman came to me after service and handed me a shofar and said the Lord told her to give this to me, that I’d know what to do with it. Hallelujah! Let the trumpet of prayer be blown in Zion, you priests of the Lord!
Thanks for an important issue to be revealed at this time of need.
Two points come to mind:
Kelly Copeland said years ago about women who were forever bashing men in the news,” they have never known a Promise Keeper.”
Further: Derek Prince said there was no way the church could have a firm foundation without Men stepping up to have confidence to lead. Thats not denying the ladies their importance but the church was designed for Male leadership.” (Paraphrase)
I admit i was miffed over that statement since i had known only female majority. Then…i went to a church whose pastors came out of Hagins Bible College in Oklahoma. This church had a large, active Spanish population. A Large Male activity And consequently a completely different atmosphere.
I recall that large Male activity when I go other places now. I pray for my Grandsons that they will be successful Gidly leaders in this coming generation.
I also agree with Pastor Jamie Rohrbucks recent article for IFA. The Apostolic church is arising. We will see more home schools. More Home Churches where small groups meet and nurture each.
Praying for our men to stand up and be warriors for God has been something God has put on my heart for weeks now. I have been praying for this daily. Thank you for the confirmation from God’s heart.
Blessings,
Lord Jesus, I pray that, by the power of Holy Spirit, that you will give wisdom, revelation, and spiritual boldness to the men in Your body. Please, raise up the men that You wish to be leaders for such a time as this. We will give You ALL the praise, glory, and honor, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Thank you for sharing this information. I’ve been praying for God to raise up my sons and men everywhere as godly warriors. Strong to lead. I will pray for this organization to spearhead that effort. May God bless…
Thank you for this important, timely message, The world needs to hear it.
Thank you for putting so eloquently into words what I’ve been saying for years. I appreciate IFA so much!
Excellent. I lead a group of six men in prayer for our country, current events, revival, church needs, etc. We know we are only six men, but we all understand that we are joining our voices with thousands around the country praying as we do. Our pattern for prayer is Repentance, Redemption, Revival, Removal, Replacement. It would take too long to expand on each word, but you can use your imagination.
Rise up o man of God, be done with lesser things!
We have prayed for years, for The men to take their Rightful place in The Church, and We will continue to Stand, And Decree, And Declare; that The men of God Are Just That, “ The men of God. “ To allow Themselves to be drawn into Our Lords presence, to be Renewed in Their spirit, as Ephesians 1:16. That They once again walk in The Power And Annointing, that Our Lord desires for Them to walk in.
Father in heaven
How we pray for the men in Anerica to wake up to truth and follow you fully devoted and wirh their whole hearts
Loving and serving you in the name of Jeshua Amen
Love, love, love this article Remco. This topic has been a passion of mine for many years. Raise up the Davids in Your church, Lord. Call forth the warrior poets, the men you have designed with passion and a gifting to rule with wisdom and compassion. Call forth the fathers – the Abrahams, Isaacs and Jacobs to complete Your intergenerational assignments on earth. We trust You Lord! Amen.
Boy this article is a stretch and goes against the delivering power of our HOLY SPIRIT to set men free from whatever was in Adam’s heart! FATHER GOD please let men everywhere rise up to their roles as leader and protecter of women and children in JESUS NAME! Let men heed the call of the ages and be the strength in our churches and homes and schools and communities in JESUS NAME! Amen!
Twenty plus years of prayers like this. OOOOh Lord, PLEASE MOVE! Help our Pastors and Leaders in the Church to bring more accountability and inspire men to mature in their Callings and Giftings. Lord, we need our Partners, Husbands, sons, children who are male to desire you more than their Careers, their Money, Investing, Sporting engagments, cars. Lord, please reveal Sonship IS the Highest Approval any Man needs. May your Love permeate and penetrate all the places of Enemy grip, on Identities. Lord, inspire Men to AWAKEN & RISE UP to STAND in this Land, as your Beloved Sons, Fathers, Partners, Friends, Brothers, Warriors on the Side of Love, Truth, and All things Beautiful. AMEN!
Jesus, when men are free to love themselves they are ripe to love You. Break the wall of separation our enemy holds around their body, soul and spirit. Lust is huge and creates uncleanness. Show them the steps to break that curse in Jesus’ name. Let freedom to love authentically arise! May the altar of their heart be washed in the blood of Jesus. Restore the joy of the family altar led by Father and his sons to women and children.
I just want to say in our weekly prayer group this week we had a strong leading to pray for our men and all the things they deal with. Then I saw this page so SURELY the Lord is speaking to us and to keep it up for this season especially. Thank you for this email info. God bless
Dear Father God we pray for men to find their identity in you and to know that they are sons of the Living God. Give them courage strength and wisdom and direction to lead their families and homes as Godly men who follow and obey your word in Jesus name amen
Thank you for your faithfulness to the body of Christ. Agreeing for the men of God to stand up and take their places in the precious name of Jesus!
Thank You Lord for giving this wisdom and insight of the need for men to come back to You and to step up to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and Your Church which You have ordained them to be!
In Jesus holy name I continue to pray for such revival across our nation and the world! Amen 🙏
Need prayers for healing!
You are loved dear one by The Most High Father God, your Creator, Savior and Healer. Be healed by His son JESUS’ precious blood.
Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that you would inspire women everywhere to be about the business of praying for their husbands and men in the church so that the women can be the catalyst for the men to become the men of prayer, the Word, and Men of the Kingdom that they are called to be.
Amen with one exception, I pray the Holy Spirit will be the catalyst. Where are the men? The same place women are – consumed with self not God. We need God to actually be our God. He said, “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.”