It’s been proven by many different research firms that the best marketing a church can do is for the members to invite people to church. It’s amazing how many offers we get to treat the church the same as any old business. The church is not a business and although we do not want to stick our head in the sand and pretend we do not need to present ourselves well on our sign and property along with the literature we present, we recognize the Lord is in control and we are not going to build the church through the adaptation of a marketing scheme.

Following the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the 120 who met to pray on the day of Pentecost, we see clearly it was God who attracted people to come and see what was happening, it was God who moved Peter to preach with power so the people cried out, “what shall we do?”, and it was God who added to the church.

Acts 2:5 & 6 (ESV) Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

Luke 13:18–21 (ESV) He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

Jesus knew the disciples did not get it and the Holy Spirit knew that we would have a hard time understanding the concept of the Kingdom of God and the impact it would have on the world so we have the words above from Luke 13. As we consider the impact of the Kingdom both externally as well as internally on the world, it is obvious that the realm of the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people in bringing about a submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word has an impact on the world, some of which we can see and most of which we cannot see but a step back will show God’s Kingdom moves and grows.

Matthew 3:4–10 (ESV) Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

John the Baptist was very outspoken which is an understatement. He just told it like it was and confronted the religious leaders calling them a brood of vipers. His confrontational words, “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” is worth considering in the context of revival and application to our lives.

Reaction to asking the church to pray for revival is varied. I am sure that some people think that we are asking more of their time, talent, and/or treasure and asking them to plead with God to interrupt their schedule to get more active in the church and His service, so they are not too fond of praying for revival. Others see it as a criticism of the church and themselves and again resist the call to pray for revival. Still others do not understand what revival looks like so they are not sure what we are asking so the plea to pray for revival never catches their heart.

So what is behind the request for each member of the church to pray for revival? What is it we are asking and why?

1 Thessalonians 1:4–8 (ESV) For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.