What Causes God to Pour Out His Presence?
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What Causes God to Pour Out His Presence?
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As we have watched the events unfolding at Asbury, the questions I have been asking (and hearing others ask) is: What causes revival? And how do we “host” His presence?
Find out when your state prays.
In our yearning for a mighty move of God, aren’t these the questions we should all be asking?
Revivals, awakenings, outpourings, renewals — these have occurred repeatedly throughout history, and they have been defined in many different ways. But I believe they all have one thing in common: an increased awareness of and desire for the presence of God. These moments in time have had different themes: the salvation of souls; the planting of churches; the release of spiritual gifts; the desire for personal holiness; and the sending out of missionaries, among other things. Sometimes those in the midst of an awakening are aware of the theme of what God is doing, and sometimes they are not.
What can we conclude? How can we participate in this current awakening? Is it possible to even encourage the continuation of spiritual outpouring?
Let’s look at four principles that are critical to fanning the flames of revival:
1. Humility is key.
The Scriptures describe Moses’ relationship with God this way: The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend … (Exodus 33:11 NIV). No other person in all of Scripture is described this way. What could qualify him for such a special relationship? I believe the answer is in the uniqueness of Moses as described here: Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the earth (Numbers 12:3 NIV).
The Hebrew word translated “humble” — anav — has the meaning of “bowing one’s mind.” The realization that was always at the forefront of Moses’ conscious mind was that he did not have in himself all that he needed, nor did he possess in himself what God possesses, but he did have access to the power of God’s wisdom and grace for any situation.
Humility is what positions us to host God’s presence.
The quickest way to cause the presence of God to evaporate is for individuals to begin taking credit for the start of a revival, or for them to be seeing themselves as somehow special enough to have sparked it. Those who attempt to capitalize, for personal gain or to build their own ministry, on what God is doing will quickly see His presence vaporize into thin air.
So, this has been my most prevalent prayer: that the leaders who are a part of this revival would walk in humility.
2. Expectation is always present.
There is always the faith that God can and will break through at any moment. This is the hard part of outpourings: We spend more time hoping for and expecting them than we do actually being in the midst of any. We need to relish those moments when we are in a revival, as we are right now. Thousands have participated in corporate encounters with the Lord directly, and hundreds of thousands more have done so indirectly, online.
What a great faith-builder it is that we can watch the videos from Wilmore and witness the sincerity and innocence in the eyes of those attending. We need to relish the moments when heaven breaks through, and we must realize that the pursuit of these outpourings will be where we spend most of our lives.
3. A community in prayerful pursuit of His presence is critical.
The first outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts came as a result of a group of the early disciples who were meeting together and praying: They all joined together constantly in prayer … (Acts 1:14 NIV). They had to be together so that they might recognize the work of the Holy Spirit. The context of their community was constant prayer. The corporate activity of looking upward, that deep desire to host His presence — this is an atmosphere God responds to.
Certainly, leaders can encourage this, but what we really need is to pray that God would ignite a personal passion in people for fervent prayer. Such a yearning then flows naturally and becomes unstoppable.
At a Tuesday evening prayer meeting in 1727, 14 people gathered inside a small chapel in Herrnhut, Germany, to pray all night. They had a glorious evening of prayer and were greatly impacted, so much so that the following Sunday, their pastor threw himself on the ground — which in turn resulted in a prayer meeting at the Wednesday night service that launched sessions of “hourly intercession” for the next 100 years. Yes, you heard right: a prayer meeting that lasted 100 years!
God’s presence is attracted to unified intercession.
4. Holiness is a result.
An encounter with the living God will always change you. Think of Isaiah, who, despite his calling as a prophet, had a visceral, emotional reaction to encountering God: “… I am a man of unclean lips.” The stark contrast between us and a holy God brings out in living color just how distinct He is. We don’t bump into Him to some little effect; no, our interactions with Him are a clash to the senses — in which we must grapple with our own limitations and brokenness. Being in the manifest presence of God causes us to become undone, with a deep sense of the futility of our own attempts to find satisfaction in life outside of Him. Any unholy attempts at personal fulfillment come into stark clarity as being unhealthy and sure to bring only negative results.
Part of the lifestyle change is also the realization or release of destinies and callings. The 1806 Haystack Prayer Meeting revival moved out from just five college students — who were literally meeting under a haystack in Williamstown, Massachusetts — to the birthing of the modern-day Protestant missionary movement in America. More missionaries have been sent out to the world from America than from any other nation. All of this because a small group of 19th-century college students came to understand that God had an assignment for them.
God has been putting a passion for prayer and intercession upon the hearts of millions at an accelerating pace over the past five years. This has been a remarkable time to mobilize prayer for our nation. No coercion is needed. No slick marketing is necessary. God is moving!
Could it be that all those who have been praying passionately for this nation over these past five years had a part in this recent Asbury revival? Absolutely!
And could it be that with such a large and powerful stirring taking place already, the Asbury revival will keep growing to spread all across this nation? That is our prayer.
How are you praying for revival? Share this article to encourage others to pray.
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God does not pour out His revival flame because of anything we do; He does so because of his holiness and great, unfatomable love for His children! As His children, we can pray for revival, and expect it to happen. The how, when, and why is totally in His hands.
The best answers concerning what brings the powerful presence of God is certainly seeking God with all of your heart until the Spirit is poured out upon you, but God moves sometimes sovereignly. When God moves sovereignly it is important to respond fully and obediently to the direction that His Spirit is leading.
In 1967, I was called upon by Pastor Harold Gallagher of the Kaimuki Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hawaii to assist his church youth in combating the drug epidemic during the “Hippie” movement. At the time, I was a thirty-three-year-old Executive Director of the Hawaiian Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, but I was also known for my Christian faith.
I met with 7 youth leaders of his church to discuss what could be done. The Holy Spirit gave me an inspired word that we needed the power of Holy Spirit to work through us to combat what Satan was doing to young people. We started praying and suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon all 7 leaders including myself and we spoke the words that the Spirit was putting in our mouths. Afterwards we were praising God with uplifted hands in full worship. We were joyous that the Spirit had come upon us as it had occurred in the Book of Acts.
We met again the next week, and the number of young people grew to 14. The hunger of these young people was amazing. They all lifted their voices to God and Spirit came upon all of them in the same way as in the first meeting. The following week, the group of young people grew to 50 and the Spirit came upon them, and they spoke praises to God. By the third meeting, the number of youth people had grown to 150 in number. It was becoming very evident that God was moving and wanted to do something great and different from the past Christian experiences that all of us were used to.
As the leader, I found this was growing so fast that I needed some additional support, so I contacted Pastor Gallagher and a local pastor of the Kailua Church on Oahu, Hawaii. I told them what had been happening and the Kailua church was opened on Wednesday evenings for our meetings. Each week the numbers grew dramatically, and it became overwhelming but a joyous occasion because God was doing a new thing. Making a long statement short, thousands of young people came to Kailua church to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit for empowerment to witness to their faith. These young people then went into all parts of the United States and the World spreading the Gospel.
We soon learned that the movement of the Holy Spirit was happening also in Pastor Chuck Smith’s church in Costa Mesa, Southern California. These movements among young people were simultaneous in Hawaii and Southern California and soon it was to be known as the Jesus Movement.
I am looking forward to seeing the Jesus Revolution which will feature the Jesus Movement coming out of Southern California. If you want to see what the Jesus Movement looked like attend the showing now of the Jesus Revolution. I want to relive those days now that I am 87 years old. It has been 54 years since my first experiences in the Jesus Movement.
Dr. Wood,
I’m one of the pastors for Kaimuki Christian Church. I first began attending the church here in 1976, and while your story precedes me, I’d love to discuss this with you more. In case you didn’t know, we’ll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of our church all this year! Part of this includes putting together a commemorative book, highlighting the ways God has worked in and through this ministry over the last century. One section of the book includes recollections on how the church responded to the hippies, and how some of them actually ended up becoming pastors. I knew Harold Gallagher very well. He performed my wedding, and invited me to come on staff as his asst. pastor in 1987. His son, Mark, is still a good friend of mine, and an Elder here. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Aloha in Christ,
Jerry Hubbard
Thank you Jesus
God is blessing me through a renewal of past friendships among His people. His Spirit in my life has brought me the joy and peace that I lost by looking at the winds and the waves instead of focusing on My Jesus and His Majesty and Providence.
As we lift off prayers for the continuation of the Asbury Revivals And prayers and others portions of Revival that have begun. This is preparedness for Gods kingdom. As I read Exodus finishing with chapters 36-thru 40 it was awesome how they prepared for The Glory of God . All of the best materials used for making of the Tabernacle, speciality woods, gold, speciality skilled workers were used. It was a tremendous community involvement. God I liken it to what we are doing today as we fight for freedom to worship God in a Free Nation. Every effort performed honored God.! In verse 26, Moses was delighted to do everything God asked of Him. I believe God is and will allow people to participate with Him as He did Moses as we carry out Gods will. God does not expect us to just sit around and watch Him to work, but to be a part of His Ministry. God expects us to give our best effort when He needs us. God needs us Now in a Mighty way, not because he cannot do it by himself but to be a part as His Family. We have been going through bondage that we are breaking off from now, as Israel did from slavery.. Are we following the pillar of cloud getting ready for restoration in our lives with the breakthroughs of Revivals. I thank God he gives us stories, powerful examples of the Hope and beliefs we should build a new foundations upon. The Bible says this parallel shows how we are learning and calling God back into our lives through Christian Trust, Faith, Prayers as we are redeemed by God. My hearts hurts for the pain we are going through, so much lost. So much to recover, I put all my Faith in God as He, in His goodness started the Revivals, that we are using for recovery and allowing His acceleration of the Fire and Glory that is spreading to each state, as the fires bring us back into realization that God is who He says He is.. I thank our Father for His forever forgiveness and His great Love he is showering us with. How great is our God when he has prepared a way through His Rock Solid words from The book called a Bible. As parents and leaders we can apply the Right to the Wrong through the prayers we have been using. Be blessed ✝️🧎♀️🔥❤️
Priscilla, what a great encouragement. It meshes so well with the message we heard from our pastor this morning. God is calling …. It is our incredible privilege to respond and follow Him as He shows us the doors He is opening and closing. Rev. 3:7 ….. He that opens and no man shuts; and shuts and no man opens. He makes it easy for us to discern the way, if we are walking with Him. Please pray for revival fires in Mexico. Our church building in Las Mesas was broken into night before last. I believe that God will turn that into a blessing. Lord, we ask for revival fire here. Please pour out Your Spirit and let us know Your Presence. Nothing else will do. In Jesus’ Holy Name, amen.
Father. Set hearts ablaze for You. Saturate the earth with You. And, Father, though I am wholly undeserving, revive me and my household. Thank You.
We need more of Jesus.He is absolutely essential in every area of our lives We must seek Him with all of our hearts
FAN THE FLAMES OF REVIVAL FIRE
FAN THE FLAMES OF THIS REVIVAL FIRE
TO CONSUME AND TO BURN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH
THAT THE MANY SONS AND DAUGHTERS
FOR WHICH IT HAS BEEN DESTINED
WILL NOW REPENT TO KNOW THE GLORY
OF SALVATION’S VICTORIOUS NEW BIRTH
FAN THE FIRES OF REVIVAL WITH MY BREATH
ON WHICH YOUR PRAYERS ARE CARRIED
AND THEY BY MY SPIRIT WILL GO FORTH IN POWER
TO ENVELOPE AND TO COVER THE WHOLE EARTH
WITH THE SPIRIT’S FIERY ILLUMINATION
OVER EVERY NATION AND EVER CHURCH…
AND VARIED DENOMINATION TO CONVICT
TO CONVICT MEN’S HEARTS OF SIN AND UNGODLINESS
THAT MEN EVERYWHERE MAY NOW AWAKE UNTO HOLINESS
THUS FALLING ON THEIR KNEES IN REPENTANCE
SEEKING MY FORGIVENESS AND MY PARDON
AND MY FATHERLY HEART OF TENDER MERCY…
THEY NOW TO HUNGER AND TO THRIST AFTER ME
FOR MY KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND GODLINESS
AND SO TO FAN THE FIRES OF REVIVAL OW SPREADING
BY THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF I THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
IS TO PRAY THE FIERY PRAYERS OF THE SPIRIT
TO ILLUMINE AND TO CONVICT MEN’S HEARTS EVERYWHERE
THE BREATH OF HE THE FIERY HOLY SPIRIT
TO CARRY FORTH ON THE WIND THEREOF YOUR PRAYERS
ON MY BREATH BY WHICH YOU BREATHE THEM FORTH
THE FIRE THEREOF AND MEN’S HEARTS TO IGNITE
TO NOW REPENT AND TO MAKE THER HEARTS WITH ME ARIGHT
WITH ME THEIR LORD AND HE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
AMEN AND AMEN
AMEN! Let the power of Christ take root in the hearts, minds and souls for all Asbury University students and continue to plant seeds to those who do not know Christ Almighty! This lost and broken world needs Jesus more than ANYTHING! It’s spiritual war-ware and it’s time for all of us to STAND FOR CHRIST, he’s our only hope!!
I do not believe it is a coincidence that the movie, Jesus Revolution” was released this week as well. God is on the move, and we need to be ready, watchful, and obedient . It’s an exciting time to be a Christian. We need to keep our eyes and hearts focused on Jesus.
The Jesus Movement depicted in the film; The Jesus Revolution has similarities to what is now taking place in Asbury. May it grow and flood the world with the message of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. See my earlier post.
We must pray that people nowadays will come to repentance and that read the word of our creator which was written in the Besorah(bible). And also we must pray and ask for more if HIS WISDOM and most especially for DEEP DISCERNMENT so we will not be deceived by these wolves in sheeps clothing. 2 thessalonians 2:15.
As I was praying into revival, as you lead at IFA, The Holy Spirit literally gripped me with this imperative: for Revival to accomplish what God wants in this nation, we need to pray Isaiah 11:2 ; in particular for the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord to sweep us all. God is Holy and does not like to be ignored or minimized to what comforts us. We as a nation have given in to Hubris ever since WWII. During my lifetime moves of the Holy Spirit have been based on Love, Mercy, Kindness of God for us personally, with miracles of healing etc. But HE told me this morning it is different now. We must have as the foundation of this revival the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord, remembering Heb10:31, (“it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”) leading to deep, rending repentance. We need to pray this for ourselves as well as those in authority. It is mercy for the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord to fall on us and our leaders before it is to late to repent. Christians do not like to think this way, but God is not Santa Claus! May we courageously accept the Spirit of the Fear of the LORD so His powerful Holiness can heal us
Beautifully said.
John Bevere has been saying that revival is going to be all about the fear of the Lord. Check out his latest YouTube videos on it.
There is a hymn that says, “Prayer is the Key to Heaven but Faith unlocks the door.” Do you see the 2 step process? Hearing from God 1st and then acting on what He says (In Faith) to you in prayer and go out & Do it!
Once you have done what He says, hurry back to prayer for more instructions. It’s a constant cycle of Hearing & doing that sustains revival not only in your own heart but the hearts of the people God sends you to. That’s why the 1st step of Prayer is so important. You must fill up your own glass before you can have oil to pour out to others.
Amen
Father in heaven we thank you and praise you for including us in your plans and purposes for the world. We pray for this revival to bring the fulfillment of the Great Commission. In Jesus name
Praying. America needs God and His Hand on us. I am old but what I see in Washington breaks my heart. People are hurting but money is being thrown away by this administration. Thank Him for a few leaders fighting for right. I pray for Gods leaders to bind the evil and stand up for right.
I keep hearing that the school is shutting it down as of this Thursday I believe?
Before that I heard that students had to go back to classes but could go to chapel at night & chapel was open to the public during the day?
I know it is a strain on the town of 6,000 people & some are complaining that they can’t get to the grocery store & they want their little town to go back to normal.
Lord keep it going…we need You to change this country & the world!..Come Lord Jesus🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Lord,
Do not let us be like the people of Gadera who asked you to leave after you delivered the demon possessed man. They sent away You, the Lord of life, because they lost a herd of pigs. Your visitation is not always convenient but always worth it. Please bless us with your presence. Amen!
The Tool to Keep Fires of Revival Going! First is the power of learning what God’s word says let it envelop your soul. Gods words are so full of HOW to live a powerful life. The word Faith was not taught in my earlier years of growing up, it was words you need to be saved, Yes, this was important, but as years went on the words Faith became also important, Trusting Gods word became Important, Prayer, linked it altogether. We need all of these things in our life , but most important is to learn what Gods words really are saying to us. I decided not to just read Gods word but to try and understand what the words I was reading were saying.! This takes time, yes it does. Am I proficient? No I am not, but God has revealed to me the importance of His Love to me. I feel His presence deeper inside of me that turns my emotion wheel on. Given time nothing is impossible with God. NIV 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 1:37
King James Version
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. This is where Faith, Trust comes in. Dr. T. York my pastor for a short while taught a sermon on the Ring He wore— “God Did Not Create US To Fail” Those words have made a mark on my life for over 40 years. Yes, those words are Luke – 1-37.. When you think on Gods words how can anyone doubt He is what he says He Is The I Am. Read His words that foretold what is happening Now. He is all knowing, all seeing! It’s not my age that made me understand, it’s because God words are Truth, Power, and Forever. Gods words are seeds to plant them, water them with prayer, pull the weeds from around them, then watch His words feed thousands! I am so glad Decrees and Declarations were established to benefit our growth., I am over exited that God has brought instructions from the minds, of Prophets, Ministers to write books on the importance of Gods words. I Thank God Truthful words backed by scripture are “ Using Gods Word as a weapon releases the power of Holy Spirit to prevail” Wow! Jesus Himself used Gods words as He was attacked by Satan. “ Matt: 4-4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Hallelujah! Jesus thank you for exposing that Gods words are our Keys as we pray (GodsWords). We need these Warriors to keep the fires of Revival burning, give millions of prayer Warriors fanning words ( the coals ) using Gods powerful words along with His Decrees and Declarations-these are important tools God has given us. God I know when I prayed sometimes I used Scriptures to pray, I used to think it was wrong; that I was not praying from my spirit letting words flow from my heart, BUT I found that was a incorrect feeling. I thank you Holy Father for your Words of Faith and Truth we read and pray daily. “ We decree Gods Word from Psalm 119:89: “ Forever, Oh Lord, Your word is settled in Heaven”. The Fires 🔥 of This Revival will not only -be burning over all states, but the seeds and gifts of Salvation will be the evidence through Gods Words over all Nations.
Wonderful the comments here on what can spark a revival. Lord, keep us all humble and desperately hungry for You!!!
Thank you for this article, “What Causes Revival?”
God moves when we pray in expectation and humility. May we the people develop these attributes and steadfastly demonstrate them before the Lord. May we point others to 2Chronicles 7:14.
Praise God for revival! The church certainly needs it!
And doubly so if holiness is the result!
The current fracas on social media is one of the reasons my husband and I ended up in a cult. Fortunately we got out of it seven years later, but it grieves me to see the state of the church.
The church has been infected by the society that surrounds it. And instead of being a light, we have absorbed the very things that we can’t stand in society into the church. Two things mainly come to mind; slander of Brothers and sisters in front of a world Who applauds at every single misstep of ours and uses that it is as an excuse not to give their hearts to Christ because after all why would they want to look like us?
And this momentum of hearing someone say a phrase that sounds not correct, but then soon after they qualify that and that gives the true meaning. However they jump on the initial phrase before it has been qualified, slander that person all over social media while the panting world watches.
The church has been following in the footsteps of a worldly society over the last three years and it’s pathetic. I am glad I am already a Christian because with, this current generation of Christians it’s questionable whether I could be led to the Lord.
O Holy Spirit, move in this nation from sea to sea and raise up a mighty remnant of all ages to pray and speak with authority what God has told us to proclaim and confess! May repentance and revival permeate this land in Jesus’ precious Name!!!
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up..” James 4. “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23 “The Lord delights in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.” Psalm 149 Lord, teach us and grant us the wisdom to humble ourselves before You in times like these where people and possessions are idolized. Forgive us Lord and bring healing and true humility into our hearts. We enter His Gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with Praise. In Your Forgiving, Victorious Name I Pray. Amen
I am praying that the Asbury revival is really from God. If it is nothing can stop it.
I pray that is is what the Lord has chosen to bless this great nation that is unfortunately in spiritual freefall, with the practice of every false religion and every abomination.
I pray that God blesses the United States for the sake of the remnant that has remained faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray it will move in Monroe ga
And show us great and mighty things what awesome God we serve
I pray it will move in Monroe ga
Heavenly Father, breathe the wind of the fire of revival through Monroe, GA so that sparks and embers land and fuel the prayers of the intercessors like Sister Linda there. May revival breakout in Monroe, in Jesus’ Name
The youth in my church and another church in our community are having a weekend retreat now and tomorrow. Let your Holy Spirit move and do miracles in lives and families in our community. Thank you Lord Jesus for all you are doing!
On our community as well! Praying God moves in the hearts of our youth.
pratyiing four jeruselum
My pastor’s wife contacted me this evening about her comments that were posted on FB about “Revival” and what Scripture says about that subject. Also, how God is speaking to her about it. I’m forwarding your excellent article to her.