Praying myself into unbelief

Prayer has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me, which is ironic, given that I’ve written seven books on the topic.  But truth be told, I’ve experienced glorious highs when God seemed to be waiting in the wings to pour out whatever I asked for, and I’ve known laborious lows when the heavens were not only silent but felt like a foreign land I couldn’t get to.  
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Some decades ago, in the throes of one of those glorious times, I began to pray fervently for revival, leading our church in multiple prayer events and initiatives.  We established two prayer rooms, one of which was filled with prayer 24/7 for months.  Years later, revival hadn’t come and in fact, the church at large seemed to be losing steam.  My hope for revival diminished, and my prayers ground to a halt.  Without realizing it, I had prayed myself into unbelief. Every now and then I’d hear of an event or someone passionate about the things I once longed for, but all I could offer were dry words and fickle faith.

My hope for revival diminished, and my prayers ground to a halt.  Without realizing it, I had prayed myself into unbelief. 

​Have you ever done that?  Prayed for something or someone for so long that at some point you simply lost heart?  Are you in that place today? Has your fervor diminished until asking, seeking or knocking for that desire has become a distant memory?  If so, I want to encourage you with a few thoughts—but first, the latest chapter in my story.
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A few months ago, for no explicable reason, my heart began to be stirred for a move of God’s Spirit that would transform the landscape of faith in our nation.  Tentatively I began to pray, then helped lead in a series of Sunday night prayer gatherings as faith bubbled up from somewhere deep within.  It felt good, like I’d come home to a familiar friend. 
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Are you in that place today? Has your fervor diminished until asking, seeking or knocking for that desire has become a distant memory? 

​Not long after I heard a speaker who encouraged us to ask God what facet of his face he wanted to show us this year.  I heard the word promise keeper, and thought of all the promises I had held onto those many years ago related to revival—could it be?  When I asked God to confirm this, I heard:  James 5:19.  Not knowing what the verse said, I turned and was astonished to read: Then he prayed again and God gave rain and the earth produced her fruit. Clearly it was time for me to pray again, to look to the God whose promises are yes and amen, even if they take a lot longer to fulfill than we ever expect.

Faith for revival has now come full circle for me and desires that were once dormant are bubbling up daily.  I can’t explain why, but I believe we are going to see a great move of God in 2020 that will be abundantly beyond all any of us have ever asked for.
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Clearly it was time for me to pray again, to look to the God whose promises are yes and amen, even if they take a lot longer to fulfill than we ever expect.

Maybe you’re struggling with a season of unbelief for something that matters much to you—a lost child or disinterested spouse, physical healing, a career move or financial provision.  If so, take heart and remember:

• Every prayer you have ever prayed is alive and working.  God dwells outside of time and is intimately aware of the cries of our hearts that waft like incense before his throne day and night.  Even when you lack the faith to offer one more plea, he promises to hear and answer all those you’ve made before.
• God is not disappointed in you for your unbelief, but instead longs to comfort you and grant you fresh grace.  If you’d never had faith, you wouldn’t be in this place, and he takes great delight in you through the days of your exuberance, as well as seasons of struggle in prayer.
• Ultimately, faith comes from God, not our own efforts, and when we feel crippled by unbelief, our best recourse is to come to him in our weakness and ask for the faith to believe again.  

In the end, I think I’d rather have prayed myself into unbelief than to not have prayed at all.  I’ve learned that when the God who never changes whispers at just the right time: It’s time to pray again, he’ll give me the faith to do so after all.  
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I think I’d rather have prayed myself into unbelief than to not have prayed at all. 

Recently I shared my heart for revival on our last Sunday at the church we planted and ministered in for 38 years.  Perhaps it will encourage you.  You can watch below. 

Cultivating a Revival Lifestyle from New Hope Church on Vimeo.