January 18th, 2023
by Ken Hawkins
by Ken Hawkins
It’s Time To Start Praying For Revival And Spiritual Awaking In Our Communities
We are living in a post-Christian Era. We look around and we see the world following a couple of scripture verses. Judges 21:25b “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” and in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.”
Let me give you three examples of what the world is doing.
Therefore, we are involved in spiritual warfare that the Apostle Paul talked about in Eph. 6:10-13. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
We need to pray as the early church did for repentance of our sins and for our county. Pray to be a light in our communities ready to share the gospel. The Book of Acts records the mighty works of God for and through His church in its early years, and clearly connects them to unified, corporate prayer.
The 120 were gathered in an upper room praying in one accord when Pentecost comes (Acts 1:13; 2:1).
When Peter and John reported the Sanhedrin's threats, those gathered cried out to God in one accord for boldness, and the place was shaken where they prayed (Acts 4:24, 31).
The church prayed over the seven men appointed to serve the widows (Acts 6:6).
After James was martyred and Peter imprisoned by Herod, the church was fervently praying, and God miraculously delivered Peter from his cell (Acts 12:1-11).
While the prophets and teachers were praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to go on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-2).
Therefore, I believe it is time to start individually and as a church to pray about revival in our churches and a spiritual awaking in our country.
I will be hosting a prayer meeting centered around revival and spiritual awakening. It will be held on the first Thursday of every month at noon at FBC Joplin. Since it is time of prayer and fasting no food will be served. The first date is February 2. Hope to see you there.
-Ken Hawkins
Senior Adult Pastor
Isa. 6:8
We are living in a post-Christian Era. We look around and we see the world following a couple of scripture verses. Judges 21:25b “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” and in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.”
Let me give you three examples of what the world is doing.
- Nearly two-thirds of people in the U.S. say they don’t believe in absolute standards for right and wrong; instead, they think morality depends on the situation. This is according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
- Four out of five youth say that “Gay Marriage” is okay. This is according to the Sandy Rios Show on American Family Radio.
- 67% of pre-teen parents claim to be Christian, according to George Barna, but only 2 percent of all pre-teen parents actually possess a biblical worldview. This survey was produced by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.
Therefore, we are involved in spiritual warfare that the Apostle Paul talked about in Eph. 6:10-13. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
- We need to identify spiritual warfare. Satan and his angles (demons) have been waging warfare against our Christian society since the 1960”s. As the result we are living in a pagan world who does not acknowledge God the Father, God the Creator, and Jesus as the way to heaven.
- We need to acknowledge how to fight the battle. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Eph 6:18
We need to pray as the early church did for repentance of our sins and for our county. Pray to be a light in our communities ready to share the gospel. The Book of Acts records the mighty works of God for and through His church in its early years, and clearly connects them to unified, corporate prayer.
The 120 were gathered in an upper room praying in one accord when Pentecost comes (Acts 1:13; 2:1).
When Peter and John reported the Sanhedrin's threats, those gathered cried out to God in one accord for boldness, and the place was shaken where they prayed (Acts 4:24, 31).
The church prayed over the seven men appointed to serve the widows (Acts 6:6).
After James was martyred and Peter imprisoned by Herod, the church was fervently praying, and God miraculously delivered Peter from his cell (Acts 12:1-11).
While the prophets and teachers were praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to go on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-2).
Therefore, I believe it is time to start individually and as a church to pray about revival in our churches and a spiritual awaking in our country.
I will be hosting a prayer meeting centered around revival and spiritual awakening. It will be held on the first Thursday of every month at noon at FBC Joplin. Since it is time of prayer and fasting no food will be served. The first date is February 2. Hope to see you there.
-Ken Hawkins
Senior Adult Pastor
Isa. 6:8
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