It's Been A While

Talk about plants that have a lack of water {they droop over}

Drought in the 1930’s : the Dust Bowl

drought: the absence of water, this drought lasted about 10 years, by 1934 an estimated million acres had been rendered useless and another 125 million was rapidly losing topsoil.

a land devastated by the lack of water

Have you ever felt thirsty? lack of hydration

When you’re thirsty, it’s too late to think about digging a well.

So today we are going to be talking about a drought, but not in the land, but in our lives.

Lets read our scripture for today, Psalm 85

Psalm 85

1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;

you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people

and covered all their sins.

3 You set aside all your wrath

and turned from your fierce anger.

4 Restore us again, God our Savior,

and put away your displeasure toward us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,

that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,

and grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;

he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

but let them not turn to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,

and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him

and prepares the way for his steps.

Pray

Remember

David remember God’s mercies that had been granted

During droughts people remember what it was like before the drought

How refreshing the water was that saturated the land

Reread v. 1-3

Prayer To Be Revived

during droughts prayers are prayed for rain

prayers for the land to be revived to produce crops

How are you praying?

prayers that you will be revived by the Holy Spirit

Reread v.4-7

Expecting To Be Revived

the blessed reassurance that the prayer would be heard

this prayer for renewal is based on God’s unfailing love for His people

a community that is in full lament and prayer

Reread v.10-13

Revive Us Again

Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes How to Bring About Revival

How to Bring About Revival

The world’s foremost authority on the subject of revivals and awakenings was Dr. J. Edwin Orr. In the early 1970s when Dr. Orr was presenting a series of lectures on revival at Columbia Bible College, a student approached him.

“Dr. Orr,” said the student, “besides praying for revival to occur, what can I do to help bring it about?”

Without a moment’s pause, Dr. Orr glanced at the student and replied, “You can let it begin with you.”

Isaiah 44:3 NKJV

3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;