21 In Twenty-One Devotional
Day Fifteen
Prayer Focus: Revival
Ezekiel 37:12-13
“Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
What even is revival? There are a lot of definitions, but I think my favorite is simply, “a reawakening." It’s easy to get distracted, lost in the chaos of life (especially with everything going on in our world currently). When this happens we have to be careful not to try to do things our own way or do what WE think is best. The passage referenced above in Ezekiel is during a time when the people of Israel were following their own paths, worshiping idols, and desecrating the temple. It’s safe to say that they had lost sight of what was truly important. They were doing their own thing and God wanted more for them.
So, He brings Ezekiel into a valley of dry bones and asks if they can live. Ezekiel replies by saying “only God knows”. Meaning, only God can make the dry bones lives. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy breath into the dry bones, and suddenly, the bones became an army of living people! I. LOVE. THIS. It’s so encouraging! God really can turn dry bones into an army! God really can turn graves into gardens! God really can give beauty for ashes! Her did it then, and He’s still doing it today. For me, for you, and for anyone who asks for that.
PRAYER: "God, Breath life into me. Not just me, but into my family, my church, my community, and my nation. God, revive hearts and minds. Restore joy that has been lost. Reignite a passion for you. Lord, today I ask for a reawakening in any area of my life that’s dead or weak."
Don't Stop There! What ashes (wounds/scars/mistakes) of yours can God make beautiful?
What dry bones in your life does the Lord want to live again?
What graves in your life do you need God to turn into a garden?
As you pray today, ask God these questions. I think you’ll be surprised by the answers.
Love,
Ben and Elizabeth Nelson.
“Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
What even is revival? There are a lot of definitions, but I think my favorite is simply, “a reawakening." It’s easy to get distracted, lost in the chaos of life (especially with everything going on in our world currently). When this happens we have to be careful not to try to do things our own way or do what WE think is best. The passage referenced above in Ezekiel is during a time when the people of Israel were following their own paths, worshiping idols, and desecrating the temple. It’s safe to say that they had lost sight of what was truly important. They were doing their own thing and God wanted more for them.
So, He brings Ezekiel into a valley of dry bones and asks if they can live. Ezekiel replies by saying “only God knows”. Meaning, only God can make the dry bones lives. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy breath into the dry bones, and suddenly, the bones became an army of living people! I. LOVE. THIS. It’s so encouraging! God really can turn dry bones into an army! God really can turn graves into gardens! God really can give beauty for ashes! Her did it then, and He’s still doing it today. For me, for you, and for anyone who asks for that.
PRAYER: "God, Breath life into me. Not just me, but into my family, my church, my community, and my nation. God, revive hearts and minds. Restore joy that has been lost. Reignite a passion for you. Lord, today I ask for a reawakening in any area of my life that’s dead or weak."
Don't Stop There! What ashes (wounds/scars/mistakes) of yours can God make beautiful?
What dry bones in your life does the Lord want to live again?
What graves in your life do you need God to turn into a garden?
As you pray today, ask God these questions. I think you’ll be surprised by the answers.
Love,
Ben and Elizabeth Nelson.
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