The Best Prayers for Spiritual Revival

What are the best prayers for spiritual revival? Do you need a spiritual revival in your own life? If your circumstances have you spiritually drained, read on. Sweet friend, life can be challenging. Sometimes our circumstances can leave us spiritually exhausted, and we need a revival…a spiritual awakening.

One of the most comforting verses in the Bible is the verse below on spiritual revival, from Isaiah.

For thus says the high and exalted One. Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, In order to revive the spirit of the lowly. And to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

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Today’s post is from my dear friend Karen Ellis from the Warrior Women Blog. She’s written an amazing article on why we need prayers for spiritual revival. I hope you find it as helpful as I do.

Our Father is so kind and loving. He wants to have a close relationship with you. He created you, knew you before you were born, and has a plan for your life.

Why would we need prayers for spiritual revival? Because we are human. We live in a broken world where sin runs rampant.

No matter how hard we try, we are surrounded by sin. Sin causes us to move away from God. 

At first, we may not notice it. You know, “gossiping” or that “little white lie” you told, that thought you had about someone, or maybe you knew God was speaking to you asking you to do something, but you did not do it?

When we overlook sin long enough, it draws us away from God and no longer bothers us. As a result, we don’t hear that still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us.

Eventually, we realize something is wrong. But, because of God’s great love for us, He will only let us wander for so long, and then conviction comes. 

“For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He punishes every son whom He accepts.” Hebrews 12:6-11

We love our children, so we discipline them and teach them right from wrong. When we sin, God disciplines us.

When you find you have wandered from God, you may need a spiritual revival. 

Of course, sin is not always the problem. Sometimes, circumstances out of our control weigh us down. 

Sickness, concerns over family members, financial difficulties, and other stressors cause us to be exhausted.

When you pray and pray over something for a long time with seemingly no end in sight, it can make you question God’s love for you. That said, prayer changes things.

Examples Of Revival In The Bible

During the days of Ahab and Jezebel, the northern kingdom was falling into a spiritual decline and idolatry. 1 Kings 18: 21-39 records the story of how Elijah humiliated the prophets of Baal. 

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.1 Kings 18: 21

Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 1 Kings 18: 22

Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 1 Kings 18: 23

Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” 1 Kings 18: 24

Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 1 Kings 18: 25

So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 1 Kings 18: 26

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 1 Kings 18: 27

So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom until their blood flowed. 1 Kings 18: 28

Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 1 Kings 18: 29

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 1 Kings 18: 30

Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 1 Kings 18: 31

With the stones, he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 1 Kings 18: 32

He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces, and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.” 1 Kings 18: 33

“Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 1 Kings 18: 34

The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 1 Kings 18: 35

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 1 Kings 18: 36

Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18: 37

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 1 Kings 18: 38

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” 1 Kings 18: 39

The history of the Jewish people in the Old Testament has had several records of revival. 

One of the most powerful revival stories in the New Testament is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were given power from the Holy Spirit and preached with a power they had not had before, and over 3000 people were saved!

Examples of Prayers for revival in recent times

We have had the Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods. Then, from 1725 to 1760, there were a series of revivals known as The Great Awakening. 

You can find several examples of revival throughout the world at different times in history. 

Powerful Bible Verses about Revival

One of the things I love to do is use scripture as prayer prompts. As you read through these, you will notice that some of them seem to be the prayers of God’s people begging for revival.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! Psalm 80:19

O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years, revive it; in the midst of the years, make it known; in wrath, remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! Psalm 119:107

Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! Psalm 119:154

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! Psalm 119:25

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Prayers for Spiritual Revival: Bible verses from God to His Followers

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

“Call to me, and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Prayer that brings Spiritual Revival

God created us for his pleasure. We were created with a longing for God and a desire for a relationship with him. 

When we earnestly ask God to forgive us of our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and revive our spirits, then I believe with all my heart that is a prayer God honors.

If you have not had a chance, I want to encourage you to read through the book of Psalms.  

It was written by David. The Bible calls him a “man after God’s own heart.” 1 Samuel 13:14

My friend, if you think your life is now or has been crazy, like a roller coaster ride that does not stop, then you NEED to read about David’s life!

He went from being a shepherd boy to a king, from shouting on spiritual mountaintops of God’s goodness to being depressed in the valley of despair. 

As close as David was to God, even he prayed for revival.

Example prayer for revival by (Karen Ellis)

Father God, I come to you now asking for your grace and mercy to fall on me. Lord, I know I have moved away from you because you promise to never leave me or forsake me.

I have allowed sin to become common instead of being repulsed by it. My heart has become cold, and I no longer pay attention to your still, small voice.  

Father, I’m tired. Life has been hard, and I’m exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I need you, Lord.

I need you to come into my heart, search me, Lord, and show me anything in my life that does not please you.

I want to confess it as a sin. I want to live for you. I need you to restore to me the joy of my salvation. 

Thank you, Father, for never leaving me or forsaking me. Thank you for being a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

You have known me since before I was born; you have called me, and I am yours. 

You are a good father and you lead me in the way everlasting. You make my feet like hind feet and set me upon my high places.

You love me so much that you sacrificed your only son to save me. 

Thank you, Father! Thank you for your love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness! I know I don’t deserve it; it is a gift from you.

Please search me, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and flush out anything that is not of you!

Show me anything in my life that does not please you, and I confess it as a sin. I only want to serve you.

Guard my mind and thoughts so that I think only of things that are pure and holy, and guard my eyes so that I do not look at anything sinful.

Guard my ears not to hear the voice of the enemy and his lies. Guard my heart, Father. 

Guard my mouth so that my speech builds up others and encourages them. Father, revive my tired and weary heart.

Lead me in the way everlasting, and let my life bring honor and glory to you. Let me walk in your strength and power and live a life that honors you.

Thank you, Father, for hearing my prayer, forgiving me of my sin, and bringing revival to my life.

Help me to hear your voice and walk in the way you would have me to. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. 

Prayer for Heart Revival

Source Knowing Jesus

Heavenly Father, pour out Your Holy Spirit like a mighty flood into the hearts of all Your people, those who are called by Your name.

May our hearts be washed by the water of the Word, and may the purifying light of the Holy Spirit cleanse the thoughts, wash the hearts, and purify the minds of those who are part of the church, which is Your Body.

Lord, we pray that You would purify the hearts and minds of all Your people so that our thoughts are ever turned toward the Lord Jesus.

May we, as individual members and also as a body of believers, learn to seek Your will in our lives so that our prayers are filtered through the light of Your will and tuned into Your perfect plans and purposes.

May all believers desire to lift Your name so that You are honored in the fellowships and local churches in His rightful position as Head, and may the Lord Jesus remain the central focus of the intent of our hearts

Lord, we pray that You would revive the hearts of all believers, especially those who have left their first love, become involved in a distorted gospel, fallen into legalism, or become lukewarm toward You.

Draw each one back into the right relationship with You and with each other. Revive Your people, we pray, and turn the hearts of all Your people back to Yourself. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Personal Prayer for Revival

Source knowing Jesus

Heavenly Father, my life is weak and seems to be failing and falling apart, and in my heart, I know that this is due to long-term neglect of You and Your ways.

Forgive me I pray, and help me to return into true fellowship with You once again.

Lord, I believe that You have stirred in my spirit the need to turn from my worldly ways and to look again to Christ.

I believe that You have quickened my spirit to call my heart back to You. Lord, I know that Your Word tells us that Godly sorrow brings repentance. I know that I have strayed far from You, and Lord, I truly repent in my heart.

I truly desire to turn away from the ways that have entrapped me for so long and to return to You. Thank You that even though I have been faithless, You have remained faithful.

I pray that You will bring me to the foot of the cross. I need to hand over the reins of my life to You. For too long, I have tried to do things my way, and I realize that only in You can true peace be found.

But Lord, I know I am weak and do not want to wander away from You again, and so I ask that You would draw me daily and place in my heart a fervent desire for You, a desire to be in Your Word, and a desire to meet with You in prayerful communion.

Lord, I confess that without You, I can do nothing. Bring me I pray, to such spiritual brokenness that I will never again stray from Your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, I pray,

Amen.

Prayer For Spiritual Awakening

Source Knowing Jesus

Lord, I have seen so much of Christendom stray from the paths of righteousness that at times, I almost feel that no one else is left who is truly seeking Your face and lifting the name of the Lord Jesus.

Yet, I am reminded that when Elijah felt equally alone and spiritually isolated, You reminded Him that there were seven thousand other faithful believers who had not compromised their faith nor bowed the knee to Baal.

Lord, forgive me for my critical spirit toward the church today. Knowing that You have many faithful saints, You are still building Your church today, though often secretly and silently.

Thank You for my brothers and sisters around the world who have kept the faith and are looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of their faith, and I pray that You would remind each one of us of the great riches and power we have in Christ and unite in us a desire to tell the good news of the gospel of grace to a lost and dying world.

Birth in each of our hearts a desire to be used by You to bring about a little revival and spiritual awakening in the tiny corner of the world where You have placed us.

And build up in each of our hearts a unity in the Spirit of Christ, so that we may be identified as having known Jesus, in Whose name I pray,

Amen.

Prayer for Our Leaders

Source Knowing Jesus

We pray that You will pour out Your Spirit on Christian leaders and those who are guiding or teaching a small flock of believers.

May there be a reawakening of the desperate need for each Christian believer to stand transparent before God and permit the Holy Spirit to search out the inner thoughts of our hearts so that He may identify each area of our inner life that grieves Him or quenches His working within our lives?

Lord, we all need to repent not only individually but as the body of Christ for the careless ways into which so many of us have slipped.

Help us to remember the spiritual heights from whence we have fallen and to return to You and Your standards.

Help us to seek Your face, not only individually but corporately, as the body of Christ and as Your representative Church on earth.

We pray that this may be the inner challenge for many leaders and pastors and their followers.

Give each one a deep desire for their inner cleansing and sense of spiritual brokenness before

You, so that those they teach would be similarly challenged to lay bare their hearts before the inner scrutiny of the Spirit within.

Revive the hearts and spirits of those who have been gifted as pastors or called to be elders in their various church groups and assemblies.

May each one seek Your face and give them a renewed urgency to humble themselves before You so that they can encourage others to keep their eyes on Jesus. In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.

Prayer for Spiritual Revival Vision

Source Knowing Jesus

Father, we thank You that by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can boldly enter into the holy of holies and stand before Your throne of grace to seek Your face and to offer up our prayers, petitions, and supplication to You, for which we praise and glorify Your holy name.

Lord, many of Your children have lost their way and are seeking to satisfy their thirst with water from broken cisterns rather than drinking deeply of the water of life that comes from You alone.

As a result, much of the body of Christ is weak, impotent, disinterested in the Word of God, and has become disorientated to the truths that it contains.

Many have lost their vision of the glorious hope that is set before us, and many have placed themselves back until the bondage of legalism, although by Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been freed from slavery to sin.

Look down in pity on Your needy Church, and renew in us the joy of our salvation. Bring us to the foot of the cross and restore the joy of our salvation and the truth of the glorious gospel of grace back into the hearts of all who have lost their way in their spiritual walk.

Thank You that when we wander away from You, You remain our ever-present help in times of trouble. When we prove faithless, You continue to prove to be faithful and true.

Draw Your body back to Yourself and give each one of us a spiritual hunger for You so that, as a body, we may glorify You. In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.

Your Turn

After reading the best prayers for spiritual revival, I sincerely pray that you understand the importance of WHY we NEED spiritual revival and how prayer changes things. That said, be prepared by putting on the whole armor of God so that you will be battle-ready.

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