Prayer for revival
On Saturday 26 March, more than 100 people from over 22 churches all over Yorkshire gathered at City Evangelical Church in Leeds. They came to pray specifically for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our churches, region and nation. Some travelled 60-70 miles to be there.
The gathering was the result of a call to prayer issued by the Yorkshire Reformed Ministers’ Fellowship, troubled about the state of the nation and apparent lack of effect of gospel preaching and teaching.
The morning began with an explanation of the biblical and historical basis for doing such a thing. This was presented by Pastor Erroll Hulse.
Mr Hulse pointed us to 2 Chronicles 7:14 and the need for humility and repentance as we plead God’s promises. He challenged us that our own love for Jesus needs to be rekindled.
He reminded us of our national history and advance of the gospel in many parts of the world today. God’s mighty works at other times and in other places give us confidence to pray for our time and place.
Mr Hulse also referred to past ‘concerts of prayer’ that were followed by extensive revivals and huge missionary expansion. He urged us to plead that the Lord will come to us swiftly.
For the rest of the morning there were three sessions of prayer, interspersed with relevant hymns and psalms, and several brothers were asked to lead in prayer. There were also periods of open intercession, and a time of prayer in small groups.
The prayers were specific, and many aspects were covered. It seemed as if the two hours flew by. Now we face the question, ‘Where do we go from here?’ We seek the Lord’s wisdom to know how best to foster this commitment to pray for revival in Yorkshire.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8). May we soon see the fulfilment of Psalm 2:8: ‘Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession’.
Jonathan Bayes
