Sunday, August 11, 2013

The Awful Condition of the Church - Guest Post by David Arnett


Does the first paragraph below sound familiar?

A group of men gathered to discuss the awful condition of the church in their communities. "The worldly places were crowded and the churches were virtually empty. The young people had just about disappeared and it seemed that many churches were about to close their doors."

Well, there is hope! Read on.

Among the many people who were concerned about the state of the church, was a small group of men from Barvas, Scotland. They agreed to meet in a small barn to pray. They decided that since God is a covenant-keeping God they would stand on the promise for revival in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "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 forgive their sin and heal their land."

That night they entered into a solemn covenant with God to pray for the community and to humble themselves in prayer until revival came.

For months, they prayed and waited on God three nights a week. Some nights they wrestled and prayed until 4:00 a.m. Finally one night, a young deacon arose from his knees and began to read Psalm 24, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy place? He that has clean hands and a pure heart -- he shall receive the blessings of the Lord."

In response to this challenge, they fell on their knees in repentance, confession, and re-dedication. They began to pray even more earnestly.

Soon, the barn was filled with the glory of God. The divine power that was unleashed in that little barn soon shook the whole community and eventually all of the Hebrides Islands in 1949-52.

LORD, send revival to New England & Canada!
 
 
Dr. David Arnett is the President of Northpoint Bible College in Haverhill, Mass.

1 comment:

  1. As you study the Bible, you can see the various covenants that He made with our ancestors. We must trust what the Scriptures says and wait patiently for their realizations. Keep praying, stay faithful, and study the Word more often. Our heart's desire shall be given to us at the right time.

    Mattie Wise @ ChristianLeadersInstitute.org

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