When Christians Need Revival — E.A. Johnston

The Horror of Sin Has Faded

In Psalm 119 .53 we read, A horror hath taken hold upon me, Because of the wicked that forsake thy law. But there is not much horror today in the church. We are conditioned to the godlessness around us, And have ceased to feel the horror.

A personal revival is needed among Christians When they have moved away from God. A Christian needs revival when sin no longer shocks you. The world possesses your heart. You are bitter against another person.

You complain frequently and grumble about your circumstances in life. You seldom read your Bible. Seldom, if ever, do you pray. And if you do, there are self-centered prayers Centered around I, me, and us.

When Prayer and Mission Lose Their Fire

You care little for those around you perishing and going to hell. You do not support mission endeavors either with your time or your prayers. Your time and your money are yours to do what you please and to please yourself.

The things of God hold little importance in your life. Attending church is a bother. Throughout the day your focus is on everything but God. You continue to repeat the same sins. You have a habitual sin which you keep confessing but never get victory over.

You never pray for revival. You are content with watered-down preaching. Your conversation is filled with sports, the world, entertainment, but seldom do you ever speak of God or eternal things. You continue to have lustful thoughts.

You enjoy sexually stimulating entertainment. You have no witness to the world that you are a saved individual. You have ceased to pursue God like the hoard after the water brooks. You do not want to know God.

Losing Intimacy With God

You do not want an intimate relationship with God. Jesus is not your master. You love your sins. There is no reason for you to get up and spend time on your knees and in your Bible. You do not pursue a life of holiness.

The most important thing to you is your job and your family. You are not moved to indignation with the wicked society around you. You are given to fits of anger. You have unforgiveness toward another.

You resent certain individuals and they disturb your peace. Someone has offended you and you seethe when you see them. You are a couple in the world and its amusements. You have little thoughts regarding eternity.

Things of an eternal nature do not grip you nor stir you. You have no joy of the Lord. You have a spirit of ingratitude. You care little for advance in the kingdom of God. You have a lack of love for God.

Self is king. You know nothing about the cross and the life of the believer. Your mind is set upon material things. Your thoughts are occupied with things. You are a very prideful person. You tell lies.

You are envious of others. You are a hypocrite. You have no taste for spiritual things. You are uncomfortable discussing spiritual truths. Religion is a chore to you. You do not like to hear the word of God preached.

You have no interest in disciple making. Your prayers are formal, without heart or heat. You have dry eyes when you pray. Your heart does not break over the lost condition of others. It's all about you.

You have no desire to find out what is on God's heart. You have no desire to go deeper with God. Jesus is welcome as your Savior, but he is quite unwelcome as your Lord. Your heart has grown cold and callous toward spiritual things.

Breaking Up Fallow Ground

Your heart has become like a piece of ground fallow that needs to be broken up, and you seldom hear the voice of God. You'd rather play golf or any other hobby than read your Bible. You have little conscience regarding sin in your life or around you.

You are a legalist and a Pharisee. You feel you are above others. You are proud of your academic achievements and feel you are better than others because of them. You have little concern over the plight of the lost and perishing in foreign lands.

You have behaved badly toward another and feel no remorse. You are full of yourself. You are dissatisfied with your life and you harbor resentment toward God. You have hatred in your heart toward another.

Repentance From Pride, Lust, and Ingratitude

Lust easily consumes you. You like to boast and brag about what you have and what you've done. You have an ungrateful heart toward the God who saved you. Your feet are quick to evil. You feel that God does not hear your prayers.

You are insensitive to spiritual things. Oh, we need a revival to come and to stir us personally, to get us back into a more intimate love relationship with Jesus. Oh, great God, come fan the embers on our hearts and make our hearts an altar to you, a sacrifice to you, great King, for that great glory.

Send us a revival. Oh, Lord, we pray.