Requirements for Revival

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” –II Chronicles 7:14. (KJV)

Perhaps you, as I, memorized this verse a long time ago. Set in that definitive book of the Old Testament about revival, 2 Chronicles, this verse addresses God’s people, gives His four-fold requirements for revival, and His three-fold promises to send revival. Let us examine them:

The Requirements for Revival

1. Humble yourselves. In another place in the Bible we read, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18)
2. Pray. The Day of Pentecost was preceded by an earnest prayer vigil by gathered disciples, and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. Billy Sunday had a powerful prayer force behind his revival efforts, as does the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The great revival efforts, wherever they’ve occurred, have been “prayed down,” not “worked up.”
3. Seek God’s face. For revival, a church needs to get serious about seeking God. He wants us to experience revival. Are we ready for the changes such an awakening will bring?
4. Turn from wicked ways. Self-examination, confession, repentance—all are part of readying ourselves for revival.

God’s Promises for Revival

1. God will hear our prayers. Just as he was faithful to answer Solomon’s prayers in 2 Chronicles 6, so faithfully will He hear and answer our prayers today.
2. God will forgive our sins. “Forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” So advised Jesus when He gave us what we know as the Lord’s Prayer (Disciple’s Prayer). God specializes in forgiving sins. But first we must seek forgiveness, and forgive others who may have wronged us.
3. God will heal our land. Do we need God’s healing hand? Yes!

In closing, I quote the words of Wesley Duewel concerning 2 Chronicles 7:14: “God, at His own initiative, voluntarily gave us, His people, the covenant of revival in 2 Chronicles 7:14. He must be true to His covenant word, and He wants for us to fulfill our part.” God grant that we may, and that God will act according to His Word.