AM Prayer Guide

P R AY E R GU I D E
G O O U T I N TO T H E H I G H WAY S
& HEDGES, & COMPEL THEM
TO C O M E I N , T H AT M Y H O U S E
M AY B E F I L L E D
LUKE 14:23
For the day

of the Lord
is coming...
THESE DEVOTIONS
A LO N G W I T H P R AY E R P O I N T S A N D
V I D E O S A R E I N T E N D E D TO A S S I S T
BELIEVERS AS THEY SEEK CHRIST FOR
R E V I VA L A N D S P I R I T U A L AWA K E N I N G .
JOEL 2:1-30 PROVIDES THE BIBLICAL
BASIS FOR THE SIX SECTIONS OF
D E V OT I O N S . E A C H S E C T I O N F O C U S E S
ON ONE PRINCIPLE FROM JOEL 2:13 0 . A S W E U N I T E TO G E T H E R I N T H E
F O L LO W I N G S C R I P T U R E T E X T S ,
D E V OT I O N A L T H O U G H T S A N D P R AY E R
P O I N T S , M AY O U R P R AY E R B E :
R E V I V E U S AG A I N , LO R D !
PRAYER
THE PURPOSE
In Luke 14:23, Jesus said Go out into the highways and hedges, and
compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. In this context,
Jesus words have a double-edged message.
GODS PEOPLE
First, His servants are to be messengers who compel others to

heed Gods invitation to partake of His Kingdom. To compel means to
persuade verbally, with appropriate behavior and by example. It assumes a
passionate plea and desire to see others respond to the invitation.
Second, the Fathers invitation is to whosoever will hear and respond
to His call to come and partake of His Kingdom, even to those along the
highways and hedges the sick, the poor, the underprivileged and even
the Gentiles. Thus, the invitation is for all people and nations.
Presently, the American Church is terribly missing the mark in obeying
W I L L C O N T I N U E TO
STRUGGLE WITH
COMPELLING THE
L O S T TO C O M E TO
these words of Jesus. It struggling with its mission because it is wasting

away in sin, apathy, complacency and arrogance. As a result, lostness
L I F E U N T I L R E V I VA L
in America is increasing with each passing day. As James says, we have

become friends with the world through our self-centeredness, self-
COMES.
reliance and prayerlessness which makes us Gods enemies (James 4:1-6).

In fact, it is safe to say that never in recent history has there been a
greater need for the Church to experience revitalization and spiritual
renewal than today. Gods call to His people in America is simple Turn
to me with all your hearts Rend your hearts, not your garments
(Joel 2:12-13).
INTRODUCTION
PRAYER
Use this prayer
guide to focus your
heart on revival
vertical
STEP 1
YOU
Personal Revival &

Spiritual Awakening
horizontal
STEP 2
GO
Compel others to
come to Christ
WITNESS
Use these devotions to
prepare your heart to go
into the world to advance
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Revive us,Lord
P S A L M
8 5 : 6
M Y P R AY E R F O R TO D AY
JOEL2:1-5
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the
day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand: 2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like
the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor
will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations. 3 A fire devours before them, And behind
them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely
nothing shall escape them. 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run. 5 With
a noise like chariots over mountaintops they leap, Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, Like a strong
people set in battle array.
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99
SECTION 1
C O O R D I N AT I N G V I D E O AVA I L A B L E AT P R AY F O R 3 0 D AY S . O R G
12
B LO W T H E
IMPACT
TRUMPET IN ZION
& GODS DISCIPLINE

Gods Word is clear whom the Lord loves He corrects (Proverbs
3:12). The prophet Joel is Gods mouthpiece to reveal His hand of
discipline upon His people. God sent locusts to devour the land (Joel
1:1-20) with the intention that adversity and discipline would cause
His people to return to Him.
However, they did not repent, so Joel once again delivers Gods
message that hardship and devastation is headed their way. This
...LET ALL THE

I N H A B I TA N T S O F
THE LAND TREMBLE;
F O R T H E D AY
time an invading army from the north (most likely the Assyrians)
approaches as Gods discipline intensifies. His message is simple
O F T H E LO R D I S
yet profound they should sound the alarm, tremble before His
discipline, understand the imminent danger, and realize it is so great
COMING, FOR
that no one can endure it.

The Church in the United States is in the same predicament. We
I T I S AT H A N D . . .
have departed from God and are sin-stained, arrogant and apathetic.
Despite many warnings, we continue to ignore the Lords call to
return to Him in godliness and holiness. For the most part, we do
not recognize that His hand of discipline is already upon us. If the
American Church is ever again to significantly impact lostness, it must
WHO CAN
ENDURE IT?
first awaken to the reality of Gods discipline. We must pray toward

that end.
J O E L
2 : 1 & 11
SECTION 1
13
13
B LO W T H E
TRUMPET IN ZION,
DAY 1
AND SOUND AN
ALARM IN
M Y H O LY
M O U N TA I N !
J O E L
2 : 1
M Y P R AY E R TO D AY
14
PRAYFOR30DAYS.ORG
SOUND THE ALARM

In Joel 1:2-20, the prophet Joel describes the onslaught and
exile. This calamity was truly something to
devastation a plague of locusts brings upon the inhabitants of
sound an alarm about, dont you think?
Jerusalem. The devastation was horrific, resulting in starvation, and
Who is sounding the alarm today? Are
God was the originator.
Gods people even listening? Clearly, the
The plague of locusts represented Gods attempt to draw
Church in America is being disciplined
His people back to Himself through relationship. He judged and
and judged by God. The waning of the
disciplined them because of their sin. This was the day of the Lord,
manifest presence and favor of God upon
and God desired His people to recognize their sin and return to Him.
His church, rampant apathy, complacency,
Despite the locusts, they continued in their sin and God tightened
sin among believers, unhindered
the screws on His people. It seems reasonable to think that the
wickedness and evil in the culture, and the
devastation described in Joel 1 would cause Gods people to humble
intensification of natural phenomena all
themselves before Him in repentance yet it did not. Proverbs
point to this reality.
16:18 reminds us that Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty
God has been trying to get our
spirit before a fall.
attention for quite some time. Yet, like the
In Joels day, the trumpet, also known as the shofar, was used to
people of God in Joels day, we continue in
call Gods people to worship or sound an alarm. In Joel 2:1, it was
our sin, doing our own thing, keeping our
used to sound the alarm that a strong and mighty northern army,
same misplaced priorities. Who will blow
probably the Assyrians, was approaching. Regardless, it referred
the trumpet? Who will listen?
to an army that would bring greater devastation and misery upon

Gods people. This was a new level of judgment that would result
in cessation of life in Jerusalem and a scattering of Gods people in
P R AY E R P R O M P T S
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, raise up instruments in Your hand to sound the alarm. Begin to

work in my heart, Lord. Use me to blow the trumpet among Your people.
V I S I T P R AY FO R 3 0 DAY S .O RG A N D
Pray that the Church in America will have ears to hear the alarm.
#Imp actNC
WATCH TH E CO O R D I N ATI N G V I D E O
LET
ALL THE
I N H A B I TA N T S O F
THE LAND TREMBLE.
. . .T H E E A R T H Q U A K E S
BEFORE THEM,
T H E H E AV E N S T R E M B L E
J O E L
2 : 1 & 1 0
16
PRAYFOR30DAYS.ORG
DAY 2
D O YO U F E A R G O D ?
In 723 A.D., the inhabitants of eastern Germany had no fear of God,
American Church continues to become
but they feared Thor, the god of thunder. That year, Boniface of
more apathetic, complacent and sin-
England was on a mission to take the message of Christ to the pagans
stained, and as it embraces the values,
who worshipped and feared Thor.
beliefs and practices of the surrounding
pagan society, the holy presence of God
At a place called Geismar, Boniface confronted the superstitious
excesses of the pagans by chopping down a huge oak tree that was
will be seen less and less among and with
supposedly Thors sacred tree. As the superstition went, anyone who
Gods people.
touched it with an axe would be cursed with a fatal illness. When
the tree came crashing down and nothing happened to Boniface,
and appeal with a lost society wanes,
the pagan people became convinced of their need to fear and follow
resulting in an increase of pagan and
Bonifaces God the one and only true God who was more powerful
godless people who see Christ and His
than Thor. Bonifaces actions illustrate that he feared God more than
Church as a nonfactor in their lives and
men and false deities like Thor.
communities. Accordingly, if believers do
not believe a day of reckoning is coming
In Joel 2:1, the people of God are told to tremble before Gods
As a result, the Churchs influence
approaching judgment upon their sin. They know it is Gods judgement
due to their sinful lifestyles, why should
by the reference to the quaking earth and trembling heavens in verse
the lost world think otherwise? Until the
10. God is Holy, and He calls His people to live in holiness, fearing His
Church begins to tremble over its sin and
wrath and judgment on unconfessed sin.
fear Gods judgment, the culture will never
understand its need for Jesus and His
Sadly, like the people of Joels day, the present-day Church in
America has, for the most part, lost its fear of God. This is evident
forgiveness. Do you fear God?
because the culture at large has no respect or fear of God. As the
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, help me become fearful and broken over my sin and lack of holiness.
D I S CU S S TH E TO PI C O F S I N
Pray for the Church in America to fear Gods judgment on its sin and become
holy vessels for Gods blessings.
W I TH A FE LLO W CH R I S TI A N
#Imp actNC
17
F O R T H E D AY
O F T H E LO R D I S
DAY3
COMING, FOR IT
I S AT H A N D .
J O E L
2 : 1
18
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IMMINENT DANGER
When I was a boy, I rarely missed an episode of the TV science-
this warning should be taken. At hand
fiction/comedy series Lost in Space. It depicted a pioneering space
indicates danger so close that it can be
family, the Robinsons, and colonists whose spaceship entered a
heard, felt, smelled and possibly even
meteor field that sent the ship way off course. The series ran for
seen in the dust from the approaching
three seasons and featured great characters and adventures.
army. It was close, certain and within
sight. It approached so rapidly that no
The Robinson family endured the antics of a nutty, semi-evil
scientist named Dr. Smith, while seeking to get back to planet earth.
honest person could deny what was
My favorite character was the Robot. He was infamous for his
happening.
one-line catch-phrases. Oftentimes, he was used as a watch-dog
and family friend of the son Will Robinson, whose adventures would
Gods people believe and heed the
ultimately place him in harms way.
warning or simply ignore it? Thats
a great question for believers and
The Robot would sound the alarm of imminent danger when
The question was obvious would
aliens or unexpected danger were approaching. In one episode,
churches to ponder today. Warning!
the Robot shouted, Danger, danger, Will Robinson! For the most
Imminent danger is at hand. Gods
part, though, he would simply shout out the phrase, Warning,
judgement is at hand! What will we do?
warning. His warnings, when heeded, often allowed Will and other
characters to escape imminent danger.

In todays text, God uses the prophet Joel to shout the warning
of imminent danger. The term at hand describes how seriously
Father, thank You that You are gracious and kind, warning us of
impending judgment.
TA K E AC TIO N
Lord, give me ears to hear and eyes to see the imminent danger that is
approaching with Your judgment. Help me respond in a manner that is
pleasing to You.
WA R N I N G YO U O F DA N G E R
TH I N K A B O U T H O W G O D M AY B E
#Imp actNC
BEFORE THEM THE

P E O P L E W R I T H E I N PA I N ,
A L L FA C E S A R E D R A I N E D
O F C O L O R . . .T H E L O R D
GIVES VOICE BEFORE
HIS ARMY
J O E L
2 : 6
& 1 1
20
PRAYFOR30DAYS.ORG
DAY 4
IF GOD BE AGAINST US?

When Germans invaded Poland in 1939 marking the start of World
This represents the fact that Gods
War II in Europe, Hitlers Lightning War with aid by the Soviet
people were in immediate danger and had
invasion in the east took less than five weeks to annihilate and take
fear-filled hearts as the enemy approached.
full control of the country.
The fierce northern army was known for
The Polish Army was grossly overmatched by the German war
using terror-filled siege tactics, which
machine. The German Army was highly trained and mechanized, with
compounded the fear of Gods people, who
nearly 2,900 more armored vehicles than the Polish Army. Plus, the
realized God was now against them. For
German Air Force was twice as large as the Polish Air Force. Polish
this reason, Joel writes, The Lord gives
airplanes were older and slower, and most of them were captured or
voice before His Army. The approaching
destroyed in the first couple weeks of the war.
army might be overwhelming, but the Lord
At times during the first few days of the invasion, Polish cavalry
is behind it all. That adds a new dimension
units were pitted against German mechanized armored units. You
to the fear. Why? Because if God is for us,
can imagine the fearful hearts of horse-mounted troops in the face of
who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?
approaching tanks and armored vehicles. Despite their brave attempts
On the other hand, if God is against us,
to resist, imminent defeat and annihilation soon descended upon them
who can be for us? The people of God in
against such overwhelming odds.
Joels day had come to understand the
In Joel 2:6, the people of God are in a far more daunting situation
words of Job 37:23 As for the Almighty,
than the Polish Army. The approaching army was large and notorious
we cannot find Him. He was not with them.
for its brutal and complete destruction of foes. They would destroy
He was against them.
buildings, burn cities and land and either kill or deport leaders and
Perhaps we should ponder this passage
resisters into exile. Thus, the people were either in anguish or
in light of what is going on around us. What
writhing in pain at the reality of such devastation by their enemies
does it look like if God is against us? I think
from the north. The northern army is so formidable that peoples faces
we are beginning to see that more clearly.
are drained of color.
What will we do?
TA K E AC TIO N
Ask the Lord to restore the reality of your fear of Him and His
judgment on sin.
LI S T O U T FE A R S I N YO U R LI FE
Pray that the Church in America would fear God once again.
#Imp actNC
TH E N O FFE R E ACH U P TO G O D
T H E LO R D G I V E S V O I C E
B E F O R E H I S A R M Y. . .
T H E D AY O F T H E L O R D I S
G R E AT A N D V E R Y T E R R I B L E ;
WHO CAN ENDURE IT?
J O E L
2 : 11
22
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DAY 5
B A I L WAT E R A N D R O W FA S T E R !
While serving as a park ranger in South Carolina, I went frog-gigging
Others say the problem is that we are outdated
with my superintendent one evening after work. As we put the boat in
in our systems, networks, methodologies, music
the lake, he told me not to be alarmed that the boat would occasionally
and worship services. Simply put, we need a
take on a little water due to a small leak.
more modern look and strategy to help us do a
We began to cross the lake with flashlight and frog gigger (spear)
better job of reaching America.
in hand. We headed toward the far side, which was grown up with
Many believe that these are the major
overhanging bushes that provided an excellent habitat for frogs big
reasons why baptisms are down and churches
frogs! As we paddled across the lake in darkness, we could see the
are declining and closing. I beg to differ. All of
eyes and hear the croaks of many frogs. We had great success that
the above are peripheral issues. The problem is
night big frogs with big legs!
much deeper and spiritual. We have departed
With a full bag of frog legs, we headed back across the lake.
from God in pride and arrogance, and we have
Suddenly, we noticed that water was coming in the boat much faster
sinned against Him.
than before. My superintendent yelled, Ill bail water you paddle
Instead of being salt and light in the world,
faster! Have you ever tried to paddle a boat that was filling with
we have tried to look like and embrace the
water? There we were, in the deepest part of the lake paddling
culture in an effort to reach people. We have
and bailing like crazy trying to get as close to the sandy beach as
depended on ourselves, our efforts, our power,
possible before the boat sunk. We did not make it. The boat went
our wisdom and our means. We have tried to
down, despite all our bailing and paddling.
build our own kingdoms. Thus, God is judging
What does this have to do with todays text? Today, many
us. And, He is leaving us to ourselves, our own
evangelical leaders tell churches our problem is that we need to get
demise. And, no bailing, paddling or busyness
leaner and more efficient. Others say we just need to obey the Great
on our part will avert the imminent reality
Commission. Some say we are not doing enough, and we need more
the boat is going down!
training, more evangelism strategies, more events, more services, etc.
Pray for God to help you see this day from His perspective.
Father, may Your Church quit trying to fix the problem of decline with
peripheral solutions. May we depend on You through repentant and
humble hearts.
TA K E AC TIO N
LI S T O U T WAY S YO U CA N P R AY
FO R YO U R CH U RCH TO DAY
#Imp actNC
P S A L M
A N D
H I S
M E RC Y
F RO M
I S
O N
8 5 : 6
T H O S E
G E N E R AT I O N
TO
W H O
F E A R
H I M ,
G E N E R AT I O N
Twas grace that

taught my heart
to fear,And grace
my fears relieved
H O W
P R E C I O U S
T H E
24
H O U R
D I D
I
T H AT
F I R S T
G R AC E
A P P E A R
B E L I E V E D
SECTION 2
25
IMPACT
N O W,
& REFOCUS
T H E R E F O R E ,
Joels message is both clear and straightforward. Gods people have an

opportunity to avert the impending devastation of an invading army.
S AY S T H E L O R D ,
How? We must first turn and set our hearts on the Lord.
This refocusing of heart is the beginning step in genuine repentance
T U R N TO M E W I T H
that leads to renewal and revival among His people. There can be no
shortcuts toward revival. Gods people must give attention to this
A L L Y O U R H E A R T,
call to turn toward the Lord with all their hearts and refocus on Him
immediately.
W I T H FA S T I N G ,
Today, the American Church has a distracted heart. Believers and

churches alike are looking for a quick fix for the moral and spiritual
decadence that is rapidly increasing. In truth, the Church in America
is guilty of spiritual adultery depending on self, satisfying self,
promoting self and, in essence, looking to anything and everyone but
the Lord.
Lostness will continue to increase exponentially, and the Church in
WITH WEEPING,
AND WITH
M O U R N I N G .
America will slip further into despair if we do not refocus our hearts
on Christ. May the Lord begin that work in my heart and church today!
J O E L
SECTION 2
27
2 : 1 2
N O W, T H E R E F O R E ,
DAY 6
S AY S T H E L O R D ,
T U R N TO M E W I T H
A L L YO U R H E A RT
J O E L
2 : 12
28
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TIME HAS RUN OUT

In todays text, the prophet Joel is once again used as a messenger of
Gods Word to His people. Now, therefore represents a different
refocus on Him now, or else. This has to be
direction in the message. Unlike previous verses about Gods
a genuine and whole-hearted turning a
impending and imminent judgment, this message is about Gods
refocusing of their lives, their priorities, their
instructions to His people if they want to avert Gods approaching
hearts. Despite how much it costs them, how
wrath.
much sacrifice of time, energy or effort is
required, they must turn and give God their
Gods message is crystal clear since the northern army or great
Even so, Gods call is clear they must
and terrible day of the Lord that no one can endure is imminent,
undivided attention.
you must now heed my instructions to stand any chance of survival.
The term now shows the urgent need for an immediate response.
are instructed to fast, weep and mourn. This
Use of the phrase says the Lord demonstrates Gods loyal, patient
season is really not about plagues of locusts,
love toward His people. Despite their rebellious state, God offers His
devastation of land or the approaching army.
people one more opportunity to return to Him in repentance.
Rather, it is about a Holy God and His desire
for His people to refocus their eyes and
The word turn points to the spiritual plight of Gods people
To ensure this whole-hearted focus, they
they are distracted. Their focus is no longer on God. Perhaps they are
hearts on Him and His perspective on their
looking at the devastation from the plague of locusts, withered crops,
circumstances.
broken down storehouses, empty wine vats, ruined grains, dried up
water brooks or wailing, restless animals. Maybe their hearts are
itself today. We must turn immediately and
overwhelmed by the joyless people and mourning priests. Perhaps
refocus our hearts on the Father and gain His
they are so focused on self-centered physical wants and needs that
perspective before it is too late. We must do it
they have no interest in the things of God.
now. Have you turned yet?
This is where the American Church finds
Pray that your heart will be focused on the Father and His perspective
in these uncertain days.
TA K E AC TIO N
Ask the Father for wisdom to order your life and priorities so that your
heart is not easily distracted from Gods perspective.
#Imp actNC
D O N OT L O V E T H E W O R L D
OR THE THINGS IN THE
W O R L D . . . F O R A L L T H AT I S
I N T H E W O R L D T H E L U S T
O F T H E F L E S H . . . I S N OT O F
T H E FAT H E R
1 J O H N 2 : 15 - 16
30
PRAYFOR30DAYS.ORG
DAY 7
F L E S H LY D I S T R A C T I O N S
Houston, we have had a problem! were the first words astronaut
Jack Swigert said to mission control when the Apollo 13 flight
toward the fulfillment of natural, hedonistic
experienced a major problem with its oxygen and main power center.
desires of the flesh that stand in opposition to
Today, the Church in America should be saying the same words as it
Gods will and purposes. John points out two
relates to the root sin of the lust of the flesh.
truths related to lust of the flesh.
Why is that the case? Take a cursory look at some statistics in
The term lust represents the human bent
First, it is worldly, part of the worlds
one category Christians and sexual sin. In one survey, 65 percent
priorities and way of life. When believers
of American Christian men and 50 percent of American Christian
become preoccupied or distracted with
pastors view porn at least monthly. In 2012, a Christian missions
the pursuit of fulfilling fleshly desires, they
agency said 80 percent of its applicants admitted to having struggles
demonstrate a life that is focused on worldly
with pornography. In a 2014 survey of Christians who use a Christian
or self-gratifying priorities. This type of
internet dating site, 90 percent said they would be comfortable with
lifestyle is diametrically opposed to Gods call
premarital sex, and 61 percent said thats with no strings attached!
to holiness and to die to self.
The stats could go on and on.
the Father. Christians are to set their hearts
What is most disturbing about these stats? First, they point
Second, fleshly lusts are not of or from
to the reality that many believers in America are living distracted
on the Lord, love Him with all their hearts,
lives. Second, this is just one category of sin not to mention other
deny themselves, take up their crosses and
categories of fleshly lusts like drug and alcohol abuse, love of money
die to self not pursue self-gratification
and riches, gluttony, and more.
through fleshly lusts. Its that simple. How are

you at saying no to fleshly distractions?
Pray that the Lord would help you see fleshly desires that may be
distracting you in your spiritual life.
Father, cleanse Your Church from fleshly lusts that keep believers
distracted and focused on worldly things.
TA K E AC TIO N
CH O O S E TO D O O N E TH I N G
TO DAY FO R S O M E O N E E LS E
#Imp actNC
D O N OT L O V E T H E
W O R L D . . .T H E L U S T
DAY 8
O F T H E E Y E S . . . I S N OT
O F T H E FAT H E R .
1 J O H N 2 : 15 - 16
32
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DISTRACTED EYES
Edward Studd, father of C.T. Studd, the well-known student volunteer
from its focus on the Lord. Therefore, the eyes
missionary to China, India and Africa, was no stranger to the lust of
can become an avenue for the heart to fall prey
the eyes. Edward Studd made his fortune as an indigo planter in India.
to the lust of the flesh (Matthew 5:28-29).
He then returned to his homeland in England to live out his days in
With social media, the modern believer is
pursuit of material gain, luxury and horse racing.
bombarded with selected scenes and edited
Eventually, Studds passion for and investment in horse racing
components of peoples lives, which often
paid great dividends as one of his horses became the English grand
lead to comparisons that create discontent.
national champion. This victory catapulted him even further into the
If believers are not careful, their goals and
life of luxury and the lust of the eyes. Eventually, Edward Studds self-
desires for life can become jaded and based
centered worldly pursuits came to an end when he was converted at a
upon what they see on the internet and social
D.L. Moody evangelistic meeting.
media and not on the Lord and His Word.
Shortly after his conversion, Studd sold all his horses, gave up
Obviously, the eyes are not bad in and of
racing and the accompanying vices and began holding Bible studies
themselves, but believers must see their eyes
and gospel-centered meetings at his residence. He also began to seek
as guardians of their hearts and minds. We
out, pray for and witness to lost family members and friends. Soon his
must be very intentional about limiting what
three sons converted to Christianity, which began a great missional
we allow into our hearts and minds via the eyes.
legacy through his investment in the life of his son, C.T.
Unguarded eyes produce ungodly distractions
The heart that is distracted by the lust of the eyes is a heart that
for believers. Revival can only come to
can never be satisfied. The eyes can become a portal for the heart and
believers who set their eyes on the Lord. Do
mind to be captivated by surface encounters where value judgments
you have distracted eyes?
are made, leading the heart to wander toward these images and away
TA K E AC TIO N
Pray that your eyes stay focused on the Lord and His Word.
TH I N K O F TH I N G S TH AT A R E PU LLING
Pray that leaders in your church set their gaze on the Lord in a new and
fresh way.
YO U R FO CU S AWAY FRO M G O D
#Imp actNC
D O N OT LO V E T H E
DAY 9
W O R L D . . .T H E P R I D E
O F L I F E . . . I S N OT O F
T H E FAT H E R .
1 J O H N 2 : 15 - 16
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PRIDEFUL DISTRACTIONS
Chuck Colson found out the hard way what surrendering to temptation and
We are often quick to boast about our
the sin of the pride of life can do to someone. Colson graduated from Brown
large churches, numerous congregations,
Universitys law school, served as a Marine captain, had a successful law
numbers of baptisms or decisions, and our
practice, and became the youngest administrative assistant in the U.S. Senate.
great accomplishments. We must admit
Eventually, he was appointed special counsel to President Richard Nixon and
the truth we have forsaken the wisdom
occupied an office at the White House next to the presidents office.
and power of God through our staunch
Known as Nixons hatchet-man, Colson was a prideful, hard-nosed, tough,
dependence on pragmatism and self. We
I-can-do-it-myself kind of leader. Despite all those accomplishments and
have worshipped the god of self building
traits, Colson would later testify that he felt empty inside. He eventually left
our own kingdoms and lifting up Christian
Washington and returned to his private law firm just prior to the disclosure of
celebrities to almost rock-star status all
the Watergate scandal.
the while forsaking Gods standards of
Colson came to Christ just before being incarcerated for seven months for
success for worldly pursuits.
Watergate-related charges. Colsons prison experience was life-changing.
Moreover, we are guilty of depending
After his release, Colson set his heart on serving Christ and founded a non-
on church programs and even political
profit ministry called Prison Fellowship. He spent the rest of his life developing and social systems to change our culture.
his prison ministry and writing, speaking and teaching on the Christian life and We demonstrate our independence of
worldview. Colson discovered first-hand that the pride of life will lead a person God by our prayerlessness and selfto self-destruct. He also learned that only Christ can deliver someone from the absorbed praying. Most certainly, God
pride of life and give them true peace and purpose in this life and throughout
is not pleased, and we must repent now!
eternity.
The pride of life is not from the Father,
The term pride of life refers to the act of trusting in ones own power and
and it is time to humble ourselves before
intelligence, thus ignoring the wisdom and laws of God. At the heart of the
our Holy God. It does not start with
term is extreme arrogance and false hope in worldly wisdom and strength. If
someone else. It begins with me. Are you
there ever was a day that the Church was guilty of this sin, it is today.
preoccupied with prideful distractions?
Pray the Lord will help you see and repent of any prideful distractions in
your life.
Ask the Father to renew your churchs dependence on Him through
genuine, heartfelt prayer that is focused on Him.
TA K E AC TIO N
A S K A TRU S TE D FR I E N D TO
PR AY W I TH YO U A B O U T PR I D E
#Imp actNC
T U R N TO M E W I T H Y O U R
DAY 10
W H O L E H E A R T, W I T H
FA S T I N G , W I T H W E E P I N G
A N D W I T H M O U R N I N G .
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2 : 12
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GOOD DISTRACTIONS?
John Calvin, a contemporary of Martin Luther and a major proponent
diligently to restore fields, recultivating land,
of the reformed tradition during the Protestant Reformation, promoted
replanting crops, finding more water sources,
Gods divinely bestowed grace as the means of salvation. In Calvins
attending to starving animals, even making battle
early years, it became apparent that the Lord was preparing him for
preparations because of the approaching army.
ministry. Yet, his father had different aspirations for young John.
Those were all good things even necessary
While John was finishing his studies at the University of Paris, his
things. However, something more pressing
father enrolled him in the University of Orleans to study law. Following
needed their undivided attention. By using the
the completion of that degree, Calvin went to the University of Bourges
phrase all your heart in verse 12, Joel points
for additional studies in law and seemed destined toward a profession
to the seriousness of the matter and the extent
in law. While at Bourges, it was evident to those around Calvin that he
to which their turning needed to take place. A
had reservations and was distracted in his study of law. Why? Because
half-hearted turning would not suffice. They
Calvin knew in his heart that the Lord was drawing him toward more
had to lay aside everything that was distracting
serious spiritual pursuits like studying the Scriptures and sharing Christ
them and give all their attention to the spiritual
with others.
drought in their lives and in the land.
While still studying law, Calvin began preaching as often as possible.
Gods people were to begin this journey
Following the death of his father, Calvin was able to settle in his heart
toward a refocused heart and repentance with
Gods direction toward ministry, and he dropped out of law school to
an unwavering focus (fasting), desperation and
give himself entirely to ministry. Although the study of law was a great
brokenness (weeping) and sorrow for their
and noble profession, it was a distraction to the greater purposes and
guilty condition before God (mourning). Today,
calling God had for Calvin. The rest is history.
I believe God is saying to His people, turn and
Sometimes, even the pursuit of good things in life can distract a
refocus your whole heart on Me. Nothing else
believers heart from the Lord. Im sure the people of God in Joels day
really matters! How are you doing with that?
were focused on doing good and even necessary things like working
Are good things distracting you and your church?
Father forgive me for my distracted heart and for not giving my spiritual
walk with You my undivided attention.
Lord, help my church refocus on You.
TA K E AC TIO N
D O TH E ACTI V I TY AT TH E
E N D O F TH I S W E E K
#Imp actNC
MY PLAN FOR REFOCUSING
STEP 1
repentance
Begin by identifying any

unconfessed sin that has pulled
your focus away from God, list
those out to the right and repent:
STEP 2
meditation
Pick out several Bible verses that

will refocus your heart on Gods
purpose and meditate on those.
Write those references to the right:
STEP 3
accountability
Identify mature, godly people in
your life and ask them to hold you

accountable to keep your focus on
God. List their names to the right:
38
SECTION 3
40
IMPACT
& R E P E N TA N C E
Gods way to revival is always filled with an honest assessment of
S O R E N D YO U R
ones sin through confession and genuine repentance. God is most

concerned about His relationship with His people as it relates to His
HEARTS, AND
glory. He is Holy, and His people are to be holy. That is His standard.
There is no compromise.
When Gods people depart from Him in sin, He will always draw
them back to Himself in relationship. Gods heart is surely breaking
over the sin-stained Church in America. He is a jealous God, full of
grace, slow to anger and often has relented from His wrath when His
people have returned to Him in repentance.
Today, believers must take responsibility for their sin. Biblical
repentance is never about feeling sorry that we have been caught in
N OT Y O U R
GARMENTS;
R E T U R N TO T H E
LO R D YO U R
our sin. But, it is always about being sorry and broken over our sin
G O D .
before God.
Repentance paves the way for believers to experience Gods
forgiveness and cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ. Repentance
also places believers in a position for Christ to restore their passion
J O E L
2 : 1 3
to compel others toward His Kingdom. We must pray toward broken

hearts through genuine humility and repentance. It has to start with
me I must rend my heart!
SECTION 3
41
41
DAY 11
S O R E N D Y O U R H E A R T,
N OT Y O U R G A R M E N T S
J O E L
2 : 1 3
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SPIRITUAL HEART SURGERY

Once Gods people refocus their hearts on the Lord, they are in a position
For Gods people in Joels day, the
for God to instruct them further regarding repentance and His way to
hour of repentance had arrived, and
restoration and revival. Remember, this season is not about Gods people
nothing else mattered. They should
and their situation. Rather, it is about God and His redemptive glory being
rend their hearts because God is
manifested through His people.
gracious and merciful, slow to anger
His redemptive glory cannot be manifested adequately if His people are
and has often, in the past, relented of
living in a sinful and rebellious state. Joels message continues to focus on
His intended wrath.
Gods people and the condition of their spiritual life and relationship with
Today, the modern Church is
Him. Thus, the next step of repentance deals with their sinful hearts.
wasting away in deeply-rooted sin. It
The term rend describes a tearing or ripping action typically associated
has embraced the worlds ways and
with tearing cloth. It is often used to describe the public act of tearing ones
ultimately failed at being salt and
clothes or garments when fasting, mourning or completing the ceremonial
light before the American culture.
rites of repentance. But here it is not the clothes that are to be torn but
Because of this, America is being lost
the heart. No outward or public expression of repentance such as tearing
to paganism, and God is angry with
garments, mourning or even fasting will suffice. This is a call to get down to
His people. Like Gods people in Joels
the root of the problem their sin-stained, rebellious and unforgiven hearts.
day, the American Church is facing a
This is a time of serious introspection, confession and turning away from
catastrophic season of devastation and
deeply-rooted sins. No corner of the heart can be left untouched, and no sin
wrath unless we rend our hearts before
can be ignored. This is spiritual heart surgery that penetrates to the very core
God. There is no time to waste. Neither
of who a person is before God. This time is of utmost importance, requiring a
is there time to blame others and ignore
desperate and urgent ripping of ones heart before God.
our sin. We must repent! Will you start?
Lord, search my heart, cleanse my heart, forgive my sin and restore
my heart.
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, awaken Your Church in America to its desperate need for

Your restoration through heartfelt and sincere repentance.
#Imp actNC
DAY 12
R E T U R N TO T H E L O R D Y O U R G O D
J O E L
2 : 1 3
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R E P E N TA N C E G O D S WAY
In 1970, during the Asbury Revival, a young female student came up to the
and disown sin. As seen in the above
college president, Dennis Kinlaw, and asked if she could speak with him about
illustration, this may require a person
a problem. They went to a quiet place and she began to tell him that she was a
to make amends with individuals
liar. He said What do you mean you are a liar?
harmed or affected by the sin.
She said I lie all the time. I lie so much that Im not sure what the truth is
Second, true biblical repentance
anymore. She asked Kinlaw for suggestions about what she should do. She
involves returning to God in a
knew she needed to confess this to the Lord and ask Christ to forgive her, but
renewed relationship. Sin is left
was there anything she could do to truly deal with this sin? He told her she
behind, and God is embraced as
needed to go to the last person she lied to and ask for forgiveness. She said she
the object of worship, service,
could never do that because it would destroy her. Kinlaw said, No, I think it will
hope and deliverance. Hence, the
help you.
believer returns by way of Gods
Two days later she approached Kinlaw again, this time with a radiant
forgiveness and grace to a close
smile on her face. She said, Im free. He responded, What do you mean
and unhindered intimacy and
you are free? She said, I just went to my 34th person, and I am free. That is
fellowship with the Father. They are
genuine biblical repentance when a person bears their heart before God in
also renewed in their desire to know
contrition, brokenness, confession and repentance, and turns completely away
and do the Fathers will.
from sin to God through Jesus.
This is genuine and true biblical
Once a believers heart is torn through contrition and brokenness, the time
repentance and is exactly what is
is ripe for them to return to the Lord and complete the act of repentance.
needed in todays Church. Biblical
The word return points to two essential requirements related to biblical
repentance that involves turning
repentance.
away from sin and returning to the
First, Gods people must turn away from their evil practices or sin.
Lord through relationship is at the
Whatever they are doing, have done, believed, or felt that is displeasing to God
heart of Gods way to revival. Are
must stop immediately and be put away completely. Thus, one must renounce
you there yet?
TA K E AC TIO N
Ask the Father to grant you grace to turn completely away from your sin.
R E M E M B E R B ACK TO W H E N YO U
Pray that your church will experience revival as believers return in

relationship to the Lord.
FI R S T R E P E N TE D O F S I N S A N D
PR A I S E G O D FO R H I S FO RG I V E N E SS
#Imp actNC
DAY 13
F O R H E I S G R A C I O U S A N D M E R C I F U L
J O E L
46
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2 : 1 3
W I L L YO U D O I T AG A I N , LO R D ?
In todays passage, Joel reminds Gods people that the Lord is their only hope
not pervasive as the First and Second Great
for survival because of who He is and what He does. He is the God who is
Awakenings. However, it was a significant
gracious, a term that refers to Gods great character gift of His amazing
time of renewal during which some
grace. This form is used 13 times in the Old Testament, and every reference
denominations, including Southern Baptists,
refers to God. It is a part of Gods character and who He is to give His favor
had their greatest days of growth.
and forgiveness freely to those in need.
Colleges, universities and seminaries
God is not only gracious, He is also merciful. Merciful refers to Gods
like Bethel, Asbury, Wheaton and Baylor
attribute of compassionate, covenantal love. It refers to undeserved mercy
were shaken by revival during this period
and forgiveness toward sinful, guilty and repentant people whom God loves
as students were deeply impacted by Gods
deeply. His people deserve His wrath yet He alone is able to grant mercy.
reviving presence. Many Christian leaders
Therefore, Joel appeals to Gods attributes and character as a motive
and parachurch ministries such as Bill Bright
for genuine repentance. He is the only hope for forgiveness, survival and
with Campus Crusade for Christ, Billy
deliverance from deserved and certain destruction. God has poured out His
Graham, and the Navigators also experienced
grace and mercy upon repentant people before, and He can do it again.
renewal.
The mid-century revival in America from 1949 to 1960 is an example
This revival and renewal resulted in fruitful
of how God extends His mercy and unmerited favor of grace upon His
evangelistic efforts among the growing
undeserving people and their nation. Shortly after the end of World War II,
pagan culture of the early 1970s with the
the American Church and culture at large were in a moral and spiritual slump. Jesus Movement. Clearly, this was an act of
Theological liberalism was choking the life out of the Church, and the culture
Gods grace and mercy upon His people and
was becoming more absorbed with self.
America. Could God do it again? Will He? He
Social vices, such as alcohol abuse, grew exponentially as Americans
is still gracious and merciful. The question
settled into the pursuit of prosperity and the American Dream. In the midst
looms: Are we in a position for God to do it
of this spiritual lull, God heard the cries of His people and sent a significant
again? Are we a repentant people?
movement of His Spirit. Though this was a period of general revival, it was
Father, mold me into a repentant vessel who is in a position to receive
Your grace and mercy.
Lord, bend and break Your Church in America in such a way that we will
realize that You are our only hope.
TA K E AC TIO N
CA N YO U TH I N K O F A TI M E W H E N
YO U S AW G O DS O U TPO U R I N G ?
#Imp actNC
DAY 14
S LO W TO A N G E R , A N D O F G R E AT K I N D N E S S
J O E L
2 : 1 3
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PAT I E N T A N D K I N D L O V E
Duncan Campbell, who was greatly used by God in the Hebrides Revival
picture of His nose burning hot with
from 1949 to 1959, knows first-hand about the patient and kind love of God.
the fire of His anger. The imagery also
Shortly after his conversion, Campbell enlisted in the army and was sent to
portrays His nose as being very long,
France to fight in World War I. While there, Campbell was confronted with
like a long fuse that takes considerable
extreme godlessness and succumbed to temptations that abounded.
time to burn. He is, therefore,
Campbell was badly wounded in battle and faced certain death if not
longsuffering in exercising His anger
rescued. As the battle raged, an additional cavalry charge was ordered
toward His people. Because of this,
over the open field where Campbell was lying. The Canadian Calvary raced
He shows them great kindness.
forward, and a horse stepped on Campbells back, causing him to groan loudly.
Kindness refers to Gods love
The soldier on the horse heard his moan and returned after the battle, found
described by the Hebrew word
Campbell, threw him over his horse and took him to the casualty clearing
hesed. This is His loyal, covenantal,
station.
grace-filled love. Many times in the
While on the horse and at the brink of death, Campbell cried out to God
past, God has offered numerous
with words he had heard his dad pray many times Make me as holy as
opportunities for His people to return
a saved sinner can be. At that moment, a patient and kind God revived
to Him. Thats how much God desires
Campbell both spiritually and physically. Before Campbell left the station and
to forgive, revive, restore and cast
despite language barriers because Campbell spoke Gaelic, seven Canadians
favor on His people. In response, the
were converted to Christ. After a year in the hospital, Campbell went on to
Church must ask today: Do we really
receive Bible training and began preaching Christ. The rest is history.
want to experience Gods patient and
In todays passage, Joel reminds the people of Gods patient and kind love
kind love again? What about you?
for them. The phrase slow to anger literally refers to Gods nose. It is a
Father, help me weep over my sin and long for Your patient and
kind love.
Ask the Lord to break the hearts of His people in the American
Church over the need we have for Gods patient and kind love.
TA K E AC TIO N
PA S S A LO N G G O DS LOV E TO DAY
W I TH A N ACT O F K I N D N E S S
#Imp actNC
DAY 15
A N D H E R E L E N T S
F R O M D O I N G H A R M .
J O E L
2 : 1 3
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ONE MORE CHANCE?

God does not offer His people second chances for no reason. Take the story
cannot be thwarted or changed (see
of the Rev. P. R. Foster, for example. One time as Foster read from a religious
Numbers 23:19; Psalm 102:26;
newspaper, he noticed that a congregation in Margaree Valley, Cape Breton,
Malachi 3:6; Job 42:2; and Hebrews
Nova Scotia was without a pastor. Foster had left his last church because of
6:17-18).
declining health but longed for another opportunity to pastor.
Whenever the term relents is used
When Foster told his wife that he was interested in the opening, she
in reference to God, it is always used
urged him to ignore it. Because of her adamant response, Foster ignored the
to give an explanation of what is taking
prompting in his heart. Several months went by until, once again, Foster saw
place in human terms. In other words,
a notice in the same paper that the same church was still without a pastor.
from mans perspective, God does
Immediately, Fosters heart was stirred by Gods Spirit. Without delay, he
change His purposes. But in reality,
announced to his wife that he must go since God had given him another
it is Gods way of demonstrating to
chance.
His people that His judgment on their
Despite his wifes pleas to consider his health, Foster sent a telegram to the
present rebellious state is conditional
church requesting that the church be opened on the next Monday evening for
and not absolute.
a preaching service. Foster boarded the next train for the Margaree Valley.
A change in heart condition and
Over the next several years, God used Foster as an instrument of revival at
behavior through genuine repentance
Margaree Valley Baptist Church and many other churches across Cape Breton. can produce deliverance from
Many believers were revived, and hundreds were converted to Christ.
certain destruction through Gods
Joel uses the phrase And He relents to remind Gods people that hope
wrath. Today, America is facing Gods
abounds because God is a God of second chances. The term relents may
judgment, and Gods people are the
sound odd when used to refer to God. Some interpret this to mean that Gods
deciding factor (see 1 Peter 4:17).
sovereign purposes can be altered by mans actions, but that is not the case.
What will we do before God, who
Scripture is clear that God is sovereign and His purposes, will and character
often relents concerning His wrath?
Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and desire to revive my heart.
Ask the Lord to give your church another chance to return to Him and
be used as a catalyst for revival, awakening and impacting lostness.
TA K E AC TIO N
R E A D A N D M E D I TATE O N TH E
TRU TH FRO M TH E N E X T PAG E
#Imp actNC
In ChristAlone
W HO TO O K O N FLE SH
F UL LN E S S O F G O D I N
H E L P L E S S B A B E, T H I S G I F T O F
LOV E AN D R IGH T E O U S N E SS
SC OR N E D B Y T H E O N E S H E
C A ME TO S AVE , T IL ON
THAT CRO S S AS J E S US D I E D
THE WR AT H O F GO D WA S
S ATIS F I E D FO R E VE R Y S I N O N
HIM WAS LAID, H E R E IN TH E
D E ATH O F C H R IS T I LI V E
IN CHRIST ALONE, WORDS & MUSIC BY KEITH GETTY & STUART TOWNEND,
2001 THANKYOU MUSIC. CCLI LICENSE 756793.
SECTION 4
IMPACT
& TRUST
Revival is Gods sovereign work. We cannot produce it through
emotions, events, strategies, programs or plans. The message in Joel
2:14 is clear. The people of God must obey His call to repent and return
to Him and then leave the results to Him.
WHO KNOWS
Once they have obeyed His call to a restored relationship, what

happens next is not their concern. God may relent and restore them
IF HE WILL
immediately, or He may not. But that is not His peoples primary

concern. They must trust Him and see this as a time to refocus their
TURN AND
hearts on their relationship with Him. In Gods sovereignty, He will work

out His purposes in and through their lives.
The same is true today. As believers in America, our primary concern
RELENT?
is not whether or not God relents concerning His discipline and

judgment upon His Church or America. Rather, our primary concern
has to be our relationship with Christ. We must return to Him through
genuine repentance and leave the results up to Gods sovereign
purposes.
Judgment or mercy are Gods to give. When we trust God in this
way, we begin to gain His perspective on how we are to respond to the
present situation. When we gain His perspective, we are on our way to
being restored as obedient servants who compel the lost toward Christ.
SECTION 4
55
J O E L
2 : 1 4
DAY 16
W H O K N O W S I F H E W I L L T U R N A N D R E L E N T.
J O E L
2 : 1 4
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THE PLACE OF TRUST

Once we have focused our hearts on God and genuinely repented of our sin,
a position to respond with God in
we need to release the results of our obedience into the hands of God and
our present situation.
His sovereign purposes. Thats not always easy. Verse 14 poses a question
There is no shortcut to the
to Gods people that is certainly worth asking. Will this work? Will God
place of trust. It comes by way
come to our rescue? Will God respond with restoration and protect us from
of a refocused, torn, repentant,
the approaching army?
surrendered and broken heart.
On the surface, this verse seems to paint a picture of people looking to
The journey to the place of trust is
heaven with a hopeful gaze that God will spare them from His approaching
difficult and painful and sometimes
devastation. Yet, I believe there is a deeper message God is seeking to drive
long and drawn out. But, in the end,
home through Joel. God is saying, It is not really about My coming to your
it is worth it. Why? Because when
aid and relenting of My anger toward you. I am primarily concerned about
we get to the place of trust, we will
My glory and your relationship with Me.
begin to serve Him out of a pure
Above all, God desires hearts that are pure and holy before Him (see 1
heart that is intent on seeing His
Peter 1:16). He wants His people to be content with His renewed presence
name made known above all names.
and nearness.
Then, we will be available to walk in
When we, as Gods people, get to that place the place of trust we
step with our God no matter where
are at a holy place and will know Him more intimately. In truth, the place of
He takes us and no matter how He
trust is where we are no longer looking for what God can do for us. Instead,
responds to our prayers. Are you at
we are simply looking for Him. We long for His manifest presence with us.
the place of trust yet?
Nothing else will satisfy not even His works on our behalf. We are then in
Father, give me the courage and faith to get to the place of trust.
Lord, do whatever it takes to bring Your Church in America to the place of
trust. Begin in my church.
TA K E AC TIO N
#Imp actNC
DAY 17
A N D L E AV E A B L E S S I N G . . .
A GRAIN OFFERING...
F O R T H E L O R D Y O U R G O D .
J O E L
2 : 1 4
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W H Y A R E Y O U S E E K I N G G O D S FAV O R ?
God knows our hearts and the motives behind the things we do. This is
Or is your life of prayer about
especially important as we pray and seek Gods restored favor through revival.
glorifying and honoring Gods name
In todays text, Joel gets to the heart of the matter as to why His people should
among the nations? Is it about
seek restoration.
intimacy and a renewed relationship
The use of the phrase leave a blessing behind Him gives the idea that God
with a holy God? Is it about praying
would just pass through and drop off gifts and blessings upon His people. But
and seeking Gods favor for the
that coupled with the remaining phrases a grain offering and drink offering
sake of His Kingdom purposes? You
for the Lord your God shows why renewed favor should be sought by His
see, when we cry out to God for His
people.
mercy through revival and spiritual
It was not simply about God restoring their agricultural and physical needs
awakening, He is looking for people
(grain and drink). Neither was it merely about getting back to the way of life
who have motives that are pure and
they knew before the locust plague and warning of the approaching northern
holy. He is looking for pure hearts
army. Rather, God was looking for hearts that were seeking deliverance
that are set on Him and His manifest,
and restoration so that they could encounter, honor and worship Him
holy and renewed presence.
through obedience with grain offerings and drink offerings. Therefore, Gods
Revival, restoration and the
restoration and favor is not so much about Him blessing His people as it is
pouring out of His loyal and patient
about His people, through His renewed presence with them, becoming a
love upon His people is ultimately
channel of blessing with Him.
about blessing God, not us. Do you
Are you praying and asking God to bless your life and ministry or to revive
remember the words of Jesus in
His Church and send spiritual awakening? Are your prayers about making your
Mathew 5:8? Blessed are the pure
life more comfortable? Are they about seeing God bless your ministry so you
in heart, for they shall see God. Why
can have a growing church or a larger congregation to pastor? Are you praying
are you seeking Gods favor?
about building bigger buildings or being known for preaching great sermons?
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, search my heart for improper motives as I seek You for revival.
I D E N TI FY A R E A S I N YO U R LI FE
Pray that God will bring your congregation together to seek Him with
pure motives and hearts.
W H E R E YO U LACK TRU S T I N G O D
#Imp actNC
DAY 18
B U T I S E E H I M , B U T N OT N O W ; I B E H O L D H I M , B U T N OT N E A R .
N U M B E R S
2 4 : 1 7
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P R AY I N G & T R U S T I N G
In the fall of 1935, a group of students from Wheaton College in Illinois
The story about Wheaton illustrates
traveled to Toronto to hear a revival challenge by J. Edwin Orr. Orr, known
that the students needed to learn to pray,
as the greatest revival historian in modern times, was a faithful evangelist,
get right with God and then trust His
speaking all over the world on the subject of revival and renewal.
sovereign work in revival. Revival cannot be
The students returned to Wheaton with a burden to pray and recruit
manufactured or spontaneously produced. It
others to pray in groups across campus for revival. Several months later,
is a sovereign work of a holy God.
Orr spoke during chapel at Wheaton and met with several students who
In todays text, the people of God are given
were members of the prayer groups. They were concerned that revival had
a prophetic word through Balaam. In his
not come despite their prayers. Orr advised them to trust in the work of
fourth oracle, Balaam points to the promise
the Lord and that revival would only come after Christians got right with
of the coming Messiah. In fact, God gives him
God.
the sight to see and behold, even though it
After that, the fervency and frequency of prayer meetings increased
will take place in the future.
on campus. Students anticipated an outpouring by God during a series of
To pray with fervency and confidence for
evangelistic meetings that were scheduled on campus a few weeks after
revival, one must see the Lord in revival even
Orr spoke. When the guest speaker suddenly became ill and unable to
though it is not currently taking place. When
speak, many students were discouraged and impatient with the lack of
this happens, believers can persevere and be
Gods presence in the services.
content with Gods promise for restoration
Then one student who had been impatient concerning Gods timing
and revival (2 Chronicles 7:14), trusting Him
in revival stood during the revival services and publically confessed his
to bring revival when, where and how He
impatience, wrong attitude and sin. Suddenly the flood gates of revival
desires. Can you see Him and can you behold
were unleashed. The 1936 revival was marked by brokenness over sin,
Him? If so, are you trusting and praying with
surrender to missionary service and unwavering trust in a sovereign God
confidence, faithfulness and resolve for
for revival. Four subsequent years of revivals, 1943, 1948, 1950 and 1970,
revival?
also took place at Wheaton following the 1936 movement.
Lord, help me by faith to see You and Your heart to revive Your people so
that my trust and perseverance in prayer will increase.
Ask the Lord to give your church a burden to pray for revival in Gods
time, in His place and in His way.
TA K E AC TIO N
D O TH E ACTI V I TY P R I N TE D AT
TH E E N D O F TH I S W E E K
#Imp actNC
B U T I K N O W H I M .
J O H N
DAY 19
7 : 2 9
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I TRUST BECAUSE I KNOW HIM

In John 7:29, Jesus bears witness to His intimate knowledge of His Father
corporate lives. Thus, the Christian life
before a host of critics who are debating His authenticity and origin at the
is not just about living a missional life for
Feast of Tabernacles. Some wondered if He was indeed the Messiah and sent
Jesus but rather about living a missional
from God, while others were convinced He was crazy and demon-possessed.
life with Jesus (see John 17:24).
Still others did not believe Jesus could be the Messiah because they knew
This truth has great implications
where He was from.
regarding ones faithfulness to trust God
Within that context, Jesus sets the story straight with a very simple yet
and pray toward revival and spiritual
profound statement, But I know Him. Know the Greek word oida is
awakening. If you are a believer and are
not abstract knowledge. It conveys the idea of knowledge and intimacy that
not burdened to pray for the Lord to
sees someone through the minds eye. It is intellectual knowledge rooted in an revive, revitalize or renew His Church and
understanding of His Fathers motives, intent, purposes and activity.
send spiritual awakening among the lost, I
Jesus knows the Father in this way because He is with the Father. Jesus
wonder why.
lived in a constant state of revelation with His Father, which resulted in
Do we really think we are successfully
constant obedience to His purposes and will. This is a wonderful testimony
impacting lostness in America? We
to the oneness Jesus has with the Father. On the other hand, this statement
desperately need to see things as Jesus
angered those listening because they did not know the Father (John 7:28, 30). sees them. Across North Carolina, I have
This statement should also stir believers to take very seriously Christs call to
people tell me the Lord has broken their
abide in Him (John 15) and to pray toward oneness with the Father, Christ
heart over the need to pray and trust God
Himself and other believers (see John 17:21).
for revival and spiritual awakening. Do you
As believers, everything in our lives flows out of knowing Jesus. Attention
know the Father intimately through Christ,
must be given to Him and His Word through study, meditation and obedience. and are you praying and trusting Him for
It is in intimacy that believers can have the resolve to pray, hope, trust and
revival and spiritual awakening?
remain devoted to Gods revelation and purposes in their individual and
Father, help me know You more deeply through obedience to pray toward
Your purposes.
Ask the Father to reveal to your church leaders how He wants to use your
church to pray for revival and spiritual awakening.
TA K E AC TIO N
I D E N TI FY W H AT I S H O LD I N G YO U
B ACK FRO M DA I LY P R AY E R FO R
R E V I VA L
#Imp actNC
FOR I AM FROM
HIM, AND HE
DAY 20
S E N T M E .
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W H O A R E YO U F RO M ?
How do you respond when youre asked, Where are you from?
The people in Jerusalem were
You probably answer by sharing not only about where you live now, but also
arguing about Jesus origin with regard
about your family roots. You might also share about your birthplace and where you
to a specific place or location. But Jesus
grew up.
sets the story straight. What mattered
One time while visiting the West African city of Dakar, Senegal, with my wife, the
most was not that He was from a
taxi-cab driver asked us where we were from. We said, America. He then asked,
certain place, but that He was from the
Where in America? He could tell by our accents that we were from a certain part
Father. The issue isnt where Jesus is
of America. We laughed and said, Its our accent, isnt it? There was no denying our from, but who He is from.
southern American heritage.
The term from points to His
The cab driver immediately said, Southern hospitality, and grinned. We said,
understanding of His origin and
Yes, and then he replied, Here in Senegal, we are friendly and show hospitality,
mission as Messiah. Although Jesus
too. He was right. We found this to be true everywhere we went in Senegal.
is God and became man, He is still I
Origins matter. They tell a lot about who people are and how they respond to
Am (John 8:28) and has no beginning
certain situations. An identity crisis often takes place when people struggle with
and end. He is infinite and eternal and
their origins related to who they are or where they are from.
has always been with His Father. By
The people of God in Joels day struggled with their identity, which created
knowing and understanding His origin
many problems. They lost sight of their Hebrew heritage and began to blend with
with the Father as I Am, Jesus could
surrounding cultures and religious traditions. Eventually, they turned away from
with great resolve and confidence be
their covenant relationship with God, which resulted in devastation and judgment
Messiah.
by God upon their sinful ways.
The modern Church will be His
The events recorded in Joel 2:12-14 reminded Gods people that they must
instrument of the gospel when we
regain their identity by returning to God in relationship and trusting Him with the
return to Who we are from in
results. In todays text, Jesus speaks to His origin and the reason that He has come.
restoration and revival.
Pray for great confidence to live the Christian life before others because
you are from Him.
Father, raise up a generation of believers who are secure in You to go to
the nations.
TA K E AC TIO N
M A K E A P LA N FO R H O W YO U W I LL
A N S W E R W H O YO U A R E FRO M
#Imp actNC
DoI Trust God?

M Y FAIT H
M Y A B I L I TI E S
M Y TA L E N TS
M Y C APAC IT Y
M Y TI M E
M Y R E ST
M Y W O R K
M Y M I N D
M Y H E A LTH
M Y PROT E C T IO N
M Y TR I A L S
M Y SU F F E R I N G
M Y PLE AS U R E
M Y ATTI TU D E
M Y E M OTI ON S
M Y D ELIVE R AN C E
M Y PROV I SI ON S
M Y C O G N I TI O N
M Y PA S T
M Y PR E SE N T
M Y F U TU R E
M Y ID EN T IT Y
M Y PU R P OSE
M Y D E SI R E S
M Y M ON E Y
M Y C H I L D R E N
M Y SP OU SE
M Y F RIE N DS
M Y FA M I LY
M Y E TE R N I TY
Begin with an understanding of what complete trust in the finished work of

Jesus Christ means in your life. Then, use this checklist to truthfully
assess your personal trust for God in various areas of your life.
SECTION 5
IMPACT
& ONENESS
B LO W T H E
When Gods people experience His refreshing presence through

personal renewal and forgiveness, it is impossible to keep it from others.
T R U M P E T. . .
In fact, the wonderful message of forgiveness and restoration through

Gods renewed presence becomes catalytic and contagious. Therefore,
G AT H E R T H E
there is always an outward or forward flow to revival.

The call of God in Joel 2:15-17 is for the community of faith to gather
PEOPLE...LET
with no exceptions nursing babes, brides and bridegrooms included

with the priests and ministers leading the way. Why? Its simple. They
must gather to seek the Lords forgiveness in community with fasting,
confession and genuine heartfelt repentance.
This sanctifying of the congregation leads to a corporate expression
THE PRIESTS
W E E P.
of holiness, allowing for a united season of seeking God in one accord

through prayer for mercy and favor (see Acts 1:14; 4:23-31). The
end result can lead to restoration and revitalization through Gods
forgiveness and manifest presence with and among His people.
If there ever was a day when the Church in America needed to come
together in holiness and desperate prayer for cleansing, revival and
awakening, it is today. Impact will once again be possible when the world
stops saying to the church, Where is your God? and starts seeing
believers living in holiness and oneness, desperately depending on the
Lord through united prayer.
SECTION 5
69
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2 : 1 5 - 1 7
DAY 21
B L O W T H E T R U M P E T. . . C O N S E C R AT E
A FA S T. . . C A L L A S A C R E D A S S E M B LY.
J O E L
2 : 1 5 - 1 6
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O U T WA R D F L O W
God sovereignly reaches down and restores His people so that their genuine
This is serious business and a call
experience of repentance, cleansing and holiness might be catalytic. Hence, there
for all of Gods people to participate.
is always an outward or forward flow in revival. In Joel 2:15-16, Gods call is for
No one else can be blamed, and
the entire congregation to turn, refocus, rend their hearts and repent. He wants
accountability has now arrived. It is
His people to become a mighty force and instrument of His presence and power
time to reap the folly of their ways
through which He might flow.
before a holy God. They are Gods
Once again, the trumpet is to be blown, signifying a call to come together to
people, they have sinned, and they
seek the Lord in worship. Next, they are to join together in a season of fasting. This
will perish under His mighty hand of
allows the congregation to focus as it prays and seeks the Lord for forgiveness and
discipline and judgment. Or, they will
cleansing.
gather and return to Him in repentance
What follows is a call to come together in a sacred assembly. This is a time of
and holiness as one.
great introspection and searching of the heart that involves the public reading of
Which will it be for the American
Gods Word, humility, brokenness, confession, repentance and restoration.
Church? I am thankful and believe
The message is clear. This season is not just for a few people who have departed
the verdict is still out. Is the work of
in their sin. This season is about Gods people as a whole. Thus, the entire
renewal in your life flowing outward
congregation must take responsibility for its actions. Gods people are the reason
toward others? Will you blow the
for the devastation that will arrive at the hands of an approaching army. But, even
trumpet and gather the people?
so, they must remember that their God is behind the army sending, directing and
using it as an instrument of His wrath. All are responsible and none are excused,
not even the children, nursing babes or the bride and bridegroom.
Lord, use me as a catalyst to gather people together to seek You in
repentance for revival.
Father, use my church to sound the trumpet and gather your people
together to seek You in revival.
TA K E AC TIO N
#Imp actNC
DAY 22
G AT H E R T H E
P E O P L E .
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2 : 1 6
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D O N T B E A LO N E - R A N G E R C H R I S T I A N !
Years ago, as a pastor, I remember visiting a young father and husband in the
everything. No other priorities were
community numerous times. He was an avid outdoor sportsman who wanted to
allowed. This was to be the top priority
worship the Lord in that environment.
in everyones life without exception.
This young father claimed to be a believer and was a member of a church, yet
Third, this was an all-inclusive call to
he never came to church to worship Christ with his wife and children. His excuse
gather elders, priests, women, children
was that he worked all week and wanted to enjoy the things he liked to do on the
and newlyweds. No one should be
weekends. Besides, he said, I can worship God better in nature than I can in church.
excluded, and all were to be invited to
Out in the woods, it is just me and God and the animals. Thats the way I like it.
gather.
I told him that through the years I had met many men like him who wanted to be
Today, God is calling His Church to
lone-ranger believers because they felt they could worship God better by themselves return to Him in godliness, holiness
in the woods. I also spoke truth into his life and explained that it really was not about
and consecration. It is a call to come
what suited him best, but it was about what God desired and required in his life as a
together in oneness to seek Him
believer and spiritual leader for his home and in his church (see Hebrews 10:19-25).
through desperate prayer for grace
In todays text, Joel delivers the clear message, Gather the people! This was a
and deliverance from impending
call to assemble Gods people for the express purpose of worship, prayer, sharing
judgment.
of Scripture, public confession and sanctification. It was a time for Gods people to
So dont be a lone ranger believer,
seek Him in oneness through repentance, consecration and prayer so that the Lord
who tries to worship, change things
could have mercy on them and relent concerning the calamity He intended to bring
or make a difference alone. Gather
because of their waywardness.
people and churches together. The
Three truths stand out about this call to gather. First, this was an urgent call to
time is not near, the time is now for
gather. There was no time to waste the time to gather was now! Not the next
everyone and for every church. Where
day, next week or next month, but now. Second, this call to gather took priority over
will it start? Will it start with you?
Lord, forgive me for being self-centered and a lone-ranger Christian at times.
Ask the Lord to use your church as a catalyst to gather other churches
together for urgent prayer and repentance toward revival and spiritual
awakening.
TA K E AC TIO N
LO O K FO R WAY S YO U CA N G ATHE R
W I TH OTH E R B E LI E V E R S
#Imp actNC
DAY 23
SANCTIFY THE
C O N G R E G AT I O N .
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S E T A PA R T F O R H O L I N E S S
In todays text Joel calls Gods people to gather for a time of corporate
Despite high numbers of different
sanctification. The term sanctify means to be set apart in Gods holiness or
ethnicities that were moving into the
sacredness. Thus, the people are called to set themselves apart from sin and
nearby community, the church had
practices that profane their hearts and lives. This happens as they renew their
never reached out to those who were
covenant relationship with God through the establishment of renewed boundaries
ethnically different from them. As the
based on Gods standards of holiness.
deacon repented of his sin, he asked the
The force of this command is strong and urgent. It is also intensified, which
congregation to forgive his wrong attitude
means they are to utterly sanctify themselves to the Lord. This is a call to a
and poor leadership as a deacon.
wholehearted or complete sanctification. It is a time when all things are naked
A couple of months later, God once
and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we have to give account (Hebrews
again opened the door for ministry and
4:13).
involvement and a church was planted in
It is a time when, as community, Gods people deal honestly and genuinely
the adjacent community. That deacon and
with the condition of their heart before Him and one another. They pray for one
that church led the way. This story is a
another and hold each other accountable to the new boundaries that have been
wonderful testimony of how serious God
set by Gods standards. It is an endeavor and journey down the Highway of
is about His people coming together in
Holiness (see Isaiah 35:8-10).
community to express their contrition and
It is an amazing thing to see God work when a congregation unites to seek Him
sorrow over their sin.
through confession, repentance and prayer. A number of years ago, I was leading
It also demonstrates how God uses the
a church in a solemn assembly which involved Scripture reading, confession and
intentional act of the sacred assembly for
prayer when a deacon stood to his feet and began to confess his sin of racism.
His redemptive activity in and through His
With tears streaming down his face, this deacon got honest with God and his
people, reviving their passion for Him, His
fellow Christians about how he had stood against the churchs involvement in
mission and His Kingdom purposes.
planting a church in an adjacent community.
Pray for the Lord to use you as an instrument to influence others on a journey
down the Highway of Holiness.
Father, sanctify our congregation for the sake of Your redemptive purposes.
TA K E AC TIO N
TA K E A N I N V E N TO R Y O F YO U R
CO M M U N I TY A N D S E E H O W YO U
CA N R E ACH OTH E R S
#Imp actNC
LET THE PRIESTS, WHO

M I N I S T E R . . .W E E P B E T W E E N T H E
P O R C H A N D T H E A LTA R .
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2 : 1 7
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DAY 24
L E A D E R S N E E D TO L E A D
Nicholas Ludwig Von Zinzendorf was greatly influenced by Philip Spener, August
the Lord signifying their distinct
Francke and Lutheran pietism with its emphasis on the spiritual life. God used this
responsibility to pray and lead.
experience to quicken Zinzendorfs heart to the responsibility he had to lead others
Second, they are to unite together
toward a vibrant and real life in Christ.
with other priests in this prayer. Third,
In late spring of 1727, Zinzendorf became burdened because of schisms between
they are to model brokenness and
religious refugees and believers from different traditions who had come seeking
desperation. The term weep refers
asylum from persecution at Herrnhut. This burden led Zinzendorf to seek the Lords
to the priests brokenness over sin
guidance in leading the groups toward a united church community of love. In the
and spiritual bankruptcy and plight
following months, Zinzendorf sought to remedy the crisis in four ways.
before God.
First, he quit his position as a legal counselor for the courts in Dresden, moved back Fourth, they are to cry out with
specific, strategic prayers for Gods
to Herrnhut, and began visiting and praying with individual families in their homes.
Second, he invited the men to join him in an intense time of Bible study and prayer,
mercy spare your people and
which resulted in many coming to realize that love and unity were foundationally
Gods renewed presence, restoration
essential to a healthy Christian community.
and favor do not give Your heritage
Third, he led them to gather on Aug. 13, 1727 to seek the Lord through confession,
to reproach.
prayer, study and communion. It was in that meeting that God sent revival and
The hour has arrived for leaders
spiritual renewal eventually giving birth to the Moravian Church movement.
to take responsibility and become
Fourth, Zinzendorf led the community toward prayer for the nations and started a
broken over the lack of holiness in the
24/7 prayer emphasis, which lasted more than 100 years.
American Church. Yes, it is time for
In Joel 2:17, ministers, priests and leaders are called to lead the people toward a
leaders, like Ludwig Von Zinzendorf,
desperate seeking of the Lord in passionate prayer. Several aspects of their call to
to lead congregations toward a
leadership stand out.
vibrant spiritual life and heartfelt
First, they are to own up to their responsibility and address the issue, pray and
united front. Leaders, will you lead?
lead the people in holiness and prayer. Joel says, Let the priests who minister before
TA K E AC TIO N
Lord, break my heart over my sin and the lack of holiness in the Church.
I D E N TI FY WAY S YO U CA N B E CO ME
Father, bring pastors and churches together in desperate brokenness over

their need for Gods renewed favor and mercy.
A S TRO N G E R S PI R I TUA L LE A D E R
#Imp actNC
DAY 25
WHY SHOULD THEY
S AY A M O N G T H E
PEOPLES, WHERE IS
THEIR GOD?
J O E L
2 : 1 7
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W H E R E I S YO U R G O D ?
In todays text, Joel calls Gods leaders to task over their need to lead the people
being lost to paganism right before
toward a renewed relationship with the Father. The question Where is their
our eyes, and we are worried
God? assumes the approaching northern army will lay siege and destroy the
about over-spiritualizing a strategy
armies of the Lord. This act, if it takes place, would portray to the surrounding
to share Christ? Is that not our
nations that God was no longer with His people or on their side.
biggest problem? We have not given
The question posed by Joel seeks to stir the priests and leaders to heartfelt
enough attention to our spiritual
prayer and action on behalf of the spiritual famine in the land. The people of God
lives in Christ!
had departed from Him in their sin, blended with the culture, and were teetering
Therefore, we are spiritually
on the fence of destruction. Thus, the priests needed to step up and lead the
bankrupt, weighed and found
people back to the Lord. Otherwise, destruction was imminent and the nations
wanting, before a Holy God (see
would despise God, causing His name to be dishonored. This was a pivotal moment
Daniel 5:27). Instead of being filled
for Gods people, especially the priests and leaders.
with Gods presence and power, we
I believe the Church in America is in the same position as Gods people in Joels
are satisfied with our own feeble
day. We are on the brink of complete moral and spiritual meltdown in the church
efforts and abilities to make Christ
and in communities all over the nation. The reason? We, Gods people, have sinned,
known to the nations.
departed from Him and have not been salt and light to our world. We have blended
Blow the trumpet gather the
with the culture, often embracing the worlds values and philosophies so that we
people sanctify the congregation
can become more relevant and reach more people for Christ.
let the priests weep between
Shame on us as Gods people, and shame on us as church leaders in America. The
the porch and the altar Why
world around us is asking, Where is your God? and we are busy doing church by
should they say where is your
depending on our wisdom, methods, strategies and resources to reach the nations.
God? (Joel 2:15-17).
Once during an evangelism strategy meeting, the consultant facilitating the

meeting said, Please, try not to over-spiritualize this process. What? America is
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, forgive my feeble attempts to shine Your light in my strength.
R E A D A N D M E D I TATE O N TH E
Father, fill my heart and church with a fresh anointing of Your presence.
TRU TH FRO M TH E N E X T PAG E

#Imp actNC
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ROMANS 12:5
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EPHESIANS 4:3
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unity of the
L L Y
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SECTION 6
IMPACT
T H E N T H E LO R D
& G O D S R E S TO R AT I O N
Once Gods people turn their hearts back toward the Lord and return
to Him through brokenness, repentance and holiness, they are in a
position to experience His restoration. Therefore, when God relents
from His wrath and enters into the desperate situation facing His
people, His enduring mercy, favor and manifest presence is suddenly
unleashed upon them.
W I L L B E Z E A LO U S
FOR HIS LAND, AND
PITY HIS PEOPLE ... I
W I L L R E S TO R E TO Y O U
T H E Y E A R S T H AT T H E
Prior to this moment, God had been against His people in judgment.
Now, however, He is for His people, on their side, showing them
mercy, restoring favor and zealous for their cause. The Church in
America has its back against the wall as Gods hand of discipline is
pressing in on it.
S WA R M I N G L O C U S T
H A S E AT E N T H E N Y O U
S H A L L K N O W T H AT I
Our hope is not found in some political, social, economic or manmade solution. Our only hope is found in Gods mercy and restoration
through revival and spiritual awakening. When God revives His
people, restoration will come, and America will begin to see the impact
a revived Church can have on lostness but not until then. Come
Lord Jesus, in revival!
AM IN THE MIDST OF
ISRAEL I WILL POUR
OUT MY SPIRIT
JOEL 2:18,25,27,29
SECTION 6
83
T H E N T H E LO R D
W I L L B E Z E A LO U S
DAY 26
FOR HIS LANDTHE

LO R D W I L L A N S W E R
A N D S AY.
JOEL 2:18-19A
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GOD IS FOR US!

Up until this point, Joels prophecy has provided a detailed picture of Gods
concerning His wrath and has
judgment and discipline upon His people because of their sin and departure from
heard their prayers. He has
Him. They are, in essence, experiencing Gods wrath as His hand is against them.
come near to hear, speak and be
But because of His mercy, they are given an opportunity to return to Him, allowing
with them. No longer is His back
for the possibility of His salvation or deliverance from further devastation and
to them. Hence, not only is God
certain destruction.
zealous on their behalf, as Joel
In verses 18-19a, the biblical text makes a dramatic shift in two important ways.
points out in verse 18, but Gods
First, Joel uses the word then to begin his description of Gods response to His
manifest presence is now with
people. His response comes after they have returned to Him with their whole
them as He dwells among His
hearts. Then also represents Gods sovereign work of revival and restoration. He
people.
determines when the then takes place, where it takes place, upon whom it takes
And, no longer will the world
place and to what extent it takes place. It is His work done in His way and in His
be able to ridicule and have favor
time with His people.
over Gods people or ask where
At that point, God is entering the scene on His peoples side. He has heard their
their God is. It will be obvious to
desperate cries. He is now on their team and no one can be against them. He is
everyone that He is with them.
zealous for His people. The Lord had been zealous against His people. Now He
What a great day for Gods
passionately fights for them. In addition, He will pity or pour out His mercy, which
people! A day that His Church
endures forever upon His people and their situation.
in America desperately needs
Second, the Lord begins to speak directly to His people (as opposed to speaking
today. But the question remains
through Joel) concerning what He will do to deliver and restore them. Joel 19a
are we really desperate for
says, The Lord will answer and say. God is now near and is delivering His message
God to be on our side, with us
to His people. This dramatic shift represents the reality that God has relented
and for us?
TA K E AC TIO N
Ask the Lord to make you desperate for Him.
Father, we need You to be zealous for Your Church in America. May we do

what it takes for You to send Your next then.
WATCH TH E CO O R D I N ATI N G V I DE O
#Imp actNC
BEHOLD, I WILL SEND

YO U G R A I N I W I L L N O
LO N G E R M A K E Y O U
A REPROACHI WILL
R E M O V E FA R F R O M Y O U
T H E N O R T H E R N A R M Y.
JOEL 2:19-20
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DAY 27
IS GOD WINNING?
Murray McCheyne was devoted to a life of holiness and led others to do the same.
Second, He promises deliverance
McCheyne was a preacher, missionary, poet and pastor of St. Peters Church in
from the reproach they are
Dundee, Scotland. He was a man of deep piety who loved Gods Word and prayer.
experiencing due to a lack of Gods
When McCheyne arrived in Dundee, he was confronted by the obvious spiritual
nearness, favor and blessings,
poverty and apathy of the congregation, as well as the spiritual darkness in the
because of Gods judgment. At
community. In an effort to combat spiritual darkness, McCheyne began praying
present, their enemies look on
diligently toward revival and spiritual awakening. He would later bear witness
them with disgust and taunt them,
that he felt God was sending awakening to the community, but he was sure that he
which disgraces Gods good name
would not be present to see it begin.
among them. But now God wins as
During his time as pastor, McCheyne knew that spiritual famine and darkness
He shows up, suddenly eliminating
could only be remedied by spiritual power through Christ. Thus, he organized
their reproach.
Bible classes, Sunday Schools, prayer meetings and visitation teams. He published
Third, He promises to remove
evangelistic tracts and led his people to evangelize the lost daily. Above all,
the threat and danger of the
McCheyne gave himself to fervent effectual prayer for a revived parish and
northern army. How? He will drive
salvation of lost sinners.
them away and ultimately destroy
As God would have it, McCheynes prophecy regarding revival and spiritual
them (His stench will come up).
awakening came true in his absence. McCheyne was on an extended mission trip
There will be no more starvation,
to Israel with four other pastors and leaders from Scotland when revival began in
drought, humiliation, fear or defeat.
Dundee. When McCheyne returned, he found a church in revival and a city that
God has come, and He is on their
was experiencing spiritual awakening. God was in their midst.
side. Who wins now? God! Do
In todays text, God promises that He will restore His people in three ways. First,
you think this needs to happen in
He will provide agricultural abundance through rain, new wine and oil, which will
America today? It can. God can, but
bring great relief from starvation and drought as His people will be satisfied.
will He?
Pray for the Lord to see your repentant heart, hear your cry for restoration
and satisfy your soul.
Ask the Father to pour out His renewed presence upon His church, take away
the reproach and drive back the darkness, through revival and awakening.
TA K E AC TIO N
I D E N TI FY WAY S G O D I S W I N N I N G
I N YO U R LI FE
#Imp actNC
SO I WILL
R E S TO R E TO
YO U T H E Y E A R S
T H AT T H E S WA R M I N G
LO C U S T H A S E AT E N M Y G R E AT
A R M Y W H I C H I S E N T A M O N G YO U .
JOEL 2:25
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DAY 28
R E S TO R I N G T H E Y E A R S
In todays text, the Lord promises His people He will restore the years the locust
Great Awakening soon followed
swarms had eaten. This means God will restore their land and His presence with
as God began to work in churches,
them in such a grand way that all evidence of years of suffering and famine will
communities and even on godless
be eliminated. His blessings through restoration will greatly outweigh all of the
American campuses. All over the
sufferings that were experienced.
nation, Christian fellowship groups
The force of this verb represents an action that is intense, so the Lord not
were formed by students who prayed,
only restores, but He also eagerly rushes to restore in the most complete and
studied the Scriptures and bore
unimaginable way. In essence, this is Gods promise to redeem the time and
witness to Christ among the lost.
devastation through His hand of forgiveness, restoration through a renewed
The result? God began to restore
relationship and bounteous blessings.
Christian influences on campuses.
Following the American Revolution, college campuses were enamored with
Many colleges experienced dramatic
the idea of freedom and independence. Coupled with the influence of French
numbers of conversions. Also, secular
philosophers, colleges and universities were seed-beds for immorality, religious
and godless college presidents and
cynicism, atheism and the all-out pursuit of intellectual freedom and moral
faculty members were replaced with
debauchery. This created a hostile environment for Christianity on most campuses.
Christian leaders. Shortly thereafter,
On campuses such as Yale, Williams College, Harvard and Princeton schools
days of prayer with worship services
that were once training grounds for ministers few professing Christians could be
and evangelistic emphases became
found. On most campuses, professing Christians were so ridiculed and taunted for
normal occurrences. God had truly
their faith that they often met for prayer, Bible study or special gatherings in secret
restored the years of spiritual famine,
places or even off campus. College churches were also spiritually barren and often
redeemed the time and once again
objects of scorn by deist students. It was a dreary time morally and spiritually in
used colleges as training grounds for
America and especially on college campuses.
pastors, missionaries and Christian
Then, in the mid-to-late 1790s, God began to mobilize His people to pray as calls
leaders.
to gather for concerts of prayer began to spring up all over the nation. The Second
TA K E AC TIO N
Lord, restore the years that the locusts have eaten in my life.
FI N D O U T A B O U T O P P O RTU N I TIE S
Ask the Father to restore the years of spiritual famine in America through
your church and on college campuses.
I N N C AT N O CA M P U S LE FT.O RG
#Imp actNC
T H E N YO U S H A L L K N O W
T H AT I A M I N T H E M I D S T
DAY 29
OF ISRAEL: I AM THE
LO R D YO U R G O D A N D
T H E R E I S N O OT H E R .
JOEL 2:27
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A R E YO U M I S S I N G G O D ?
Joel 2:27 demonstrates that the best part of Gods restoration is neither relief from
asked his assistant minister to lead a
the suffering associated with the locust plague nor even His deliverance from the
song yet no one stopped praying.
approaching calamity of the northern army. Rather, it is a renewed relationship with
Prayer services continued all week.
Him through His presence with His people.
Then on Saturday night, Murray
The term you shall know is used often in the Old Testament and refers to
preached, led in prayer and invited
intimate knowledge that is experienced through the senses. Thus, the Lord is not far
others to do the same. Once again,
away but promises His renewed presence in their midst. Midst further clarifies
Gods Spirit moved as people began
His intimate nearness and contact with His people. This does not represent a casual
praying simultaneously.
knowledge of God but rather knowledge that is made possible by Gods intimate
Again, Murray walked up and down
proximity and involvement in His peoples lives.
the aisle, trying to quiet people until
He walks with them, directs their steps and paths, and grants them wisdom,
someone softly reprimanded him and
power and blessings. The people experience and know Him as their only God (no
said God was present among them.
other). Who is this God? He is I Am. He always is, always was and forever will be.
Murray heeded the warning, let the
He has no beginning and no end. He will now be on their side, in their court, standing
simultaneous praying continue and
with them and on their team. It is a glorious announcement for Gods people.
saw God spread revival throughout
Sometimes, because of predetermined ideas about Gods restoration and revival,
South Africa.
His people can miss His holy presence in revival. This almost happened to Andrew
Murray, who had longed for
Murray, South African theologian, pastor and prayer leader.
Gods presence in revival, almost
Murray had prayed for revival for many years. Then in late summer of 1860, God
quenched and missed it because
manifested His holy presence in a youth fellowship meeting in Worcester, South
of preconceived notions. What are
Africa. A young African girl stood and began to sing and pray. As she prayed, all who
you expecting as you pray for revival
were present burst into simultaneous prayer.
and restoration in the American
Murray, who was speaking in the main service in the sanctuary, ran into the youth
Church? Are you missing the manifest
gathering and cried out, seeking to silence the simultaneous prayers. Murray even
presence of God?
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, forgive me for longing for what You can do rather than longing for You.
A S K OTH E R S H O W TH E Y H AV E
Pray for your church body to long for Gods manifest presence through
revival and restoration.
SEEN GOD WORK

#Imp actNC
A N D I T S H A L L C O M E TO PA S S
A F T E R WA R D T H AT I W I L L P O U R O U T
M Y S P I R I T O N A L L F L E S H .
JOEL 2:28
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DAY 30
R E V I VA L S F U T U R E I M PA C T
When God promises complete restoration and revival, He always does so in ways
of Gods presence. Joshua went
that go above and beyond what He is already doing among His people. James
on to preach a series of meetings
Burns, author of the classic work Revivals: Their Laws and Leaders, calls this principle
that were attended by a coal miner
of revival the law of progress. According to Burns, God uses times of revival and
named Evan Roberts, who became a
restoration to thrust His redemptive work and plan forward through the ages. This
major instrument in the 1904-1905
is especially seen in todays text with Gods promise of the outpouring of His Spirit
Welsh Revival. The Welsh Revival
on His people. The phrase come to pass represents a shift in the text. This promise
was catalytic in the 1901-1910
has future implications that cannot be completely realized by the present.
Worldwide Awakening with millions
With this promise of the Spirit, the Lord gives His people a peek into His
being converted to Christ through
redemptive purposes that are fulfilled as His people return to Him in restoration
the outpouring of Gods Spirit in
and relationship. Hence, He promises to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh through
global revival.
His people one day, like during the Messianic Age as seen in Acts 2:17 and during
The impact of the 1860 South
the latter days. Because of this restoration, future seasons of Kingdom progress and
African revival on Andrew Murray
fulfillment are made possible.
is still being felt today through
In mid-1860, Andrew Murrays church experienced revival in South Africa. During
Murrays writings, many of which
that time, God renewed Murrays prayer life. Following that season of revival,
are still in print. Only Gods Spirit
Murray wrote one of his most noted books, With Christ in the School of Prayer.
could do something like that. What
In 1903, a man named Joseph Jenkins was greatly influenced by Murrays book
could God do through revival and
and started a meeting to help youth pray and stand against worldly influences. In
restoration among His church in
1904, during one of those meetings, a young Welsh girl stood to answer a question
America today? What does He want
about what Jesus meant to her. God used her sincere answer to move in that
to do? Its probably way beyond our
service, stir others to respond and impact other youth meetings in the area.
expectations, dont you think? Shall
Testimonies from these meetings were later shared at the 1904 Keswick
we pray?
Convention, where Seth Joshua was also greatly impacted by the manifestation
TA K E AC TIO N
Father, revive and restore my heart through Your Spirit for future impact.
M A K E A CO M M I TM E N T TO B E CO ME
Pray that God will revive and restore your church for His redemptive impact
and glory.
A DA I LY P R AY E R WA R R I O R
#Imp actNC
THESE DEVOTIONS
WERE WRITTEN BY J. CHRIS
S C H O F I E L D , D I R E C TO R O F T H E O F F I C E
O F P R AY E R F O R T H E B A P T I S T S TAT E
CONVENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA.
T H I S P R AY E R G U I D E M AY B E
REPRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED
FOR USE IN CHURCH OR MINISTRY
SETTINGS. WRITTEN PERMISSION
M U S T B E O B TA I N E D F O R A L L OT H E R
U S E S . TO O B TA I N P E R M I S S I O N , P L E A S E
C O N TA C T T H E O F F I C E O F P R AY E R AT
P R AY N C . O R G O R ( 8 0 0 ) 3 9 5 - 5 1 0 2 .
Call and
I will
answer you...
PRAYFOR30DAYS.ORG

AM Prayer Guide

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P R AY E R GU I D E

For the day

First, His servants are to be messengers who compel others to

these words of Jesus. It struggling with its mission because it is wasting

in America is increasing with each passing day. As James says, we have

reliance and prayerlessness which makes us Gods enemies (James 4:1-6).

Personal Revival &

& GODS DISCIPLINE

...LET ALL THE

that no one can endure it.

first awaken to the reality of Gods discipline. We must pray toward

SOUND THE ALARM

exile. This calamity was truly something to

devastation a plague of locusts brings upon the inhabitants of

sound an alarm about, dont you think?

Jerusalem. The devastation was horrific, resulting in starvation, and

Who is sounding the alarm today? Are

God was the originator.

Gods people even listening? Clearly, the

The plague of locusts represented Gods attempt to draw

Church in America is being disciplined

His people back to Himself through relationship. He judged and

and judged by God. The waning of the

manifest presence and favor of God upon

His church, rampant apathy, complacency,

sin among believers, unhindered

the screws on His people. It seems reasonable to think that the

wickedness and evil in the culture, and the

devastation described in Joel 1 would cause Gods people to humble

intensification of natural phenomena all

themselves before Him in repentance yet it did not. Proverbs

point to this reality.

16:18 reminds us that Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty

God has been trying to get our

spirit before a fall.

attention for quite some time. Yet, like the

people of God in Joels day, we continue in

call Gods people to worship or sound an alarm. In Joel 2:1, it was

our sin, doing our own thing, keeping our

same misplaced priorities. Who will blow

probably the Assyrians, was approaching. Regardless, it referred

the trumpet? Who will listen?

to an army that would bring greater devastation and misery upon

Father, raise up instruments in Your hand to sound the alarm. Begin to

American Church continues to become

more apathetic, complacent and sin-

England was on a mission to take the message of Christ to the pagans

stained, and as it embraces the values,

who worshipped and feared Thor.

beliefs and practices of the surrounding

pagan society, the holy presence of God

At a place called Geismar, Boniface confronted the superstitious

will be seen less and less among and with

supposedly Thors sacred tree. As the superstition went, anyone who

touched it with an axe would be cursed with a fatal illness. When

the tree came crashing down and nothing happened to Boniface,

and appeal with a lost society wanes,

resulting in an increase of pagan and

godless people who see Christ and His

Church as a nonfactor in their lives and

men and false deities like Thor.

communities. Accordingly, if believers do

not believe a day of reckoning is coming

As a result, the Churchs influence