A PRAYER GUIDE FOR RENEWAL RENEWAL begins with the people of God. The thing most of us need, and find so hard to do, is to confess our sins, humble ourselves in the sight of God, and seek to be filled with His Holy Spirit. This not only brings revival, as far as we are concerned, it is RENEWAL, and it results in evangelistic outreach. This revival Prayer Guide is presented with the hope and prayer that it will be of use in helping you search your own heart, to see yourself as God sees you. Sincere and earnest Christians seeing their sins, WILL humble themselves and confess their sins, and seek God s forgiveness and pardon. Then says II Chronicles 7:14, RENEWAL comes. Much of the material of this book was prepared by Rev. Wilson L. Akins. It is a compilation of materials from several sources, sifted and tried over the years, and proven exceptional. YOU ARE ASKED TO TAKE ONE HOUR AND MOVE PAGE BY PAGE THROUGH THIS BOOK. EARNESTLY SEARCH YOUR HEART WITH EACH PROBING QUESTION. WRITE THE THINGS ASKED FOR AND LET GOD SPEAK TO YOU. DO NOT RUSH THROUGH THIS TIME ALONE WITH GOD. When you complete the book write a brief testimony, sign it and leave it there as a testimony to your experience. List the Church Staff at the top of your prayer list, then yourself, and then the names of those for whom you are praying that you hope will be reached in the coming revival. May our Lord give you a very special blessing during this hour. Prayerfully, Bro. Randy 1
We are praying for a Great Awakening. If we are to have a great awakening, Renewal must FIRST begin in Me! I must be willing to lay My life My talents My time My Money All that I am, and all that I have on God s altar. 2
Power for renewal must come from God. God is able The Power of the Holy Spirit is the only sufficient Power. To forgive every sin To cleanse every stain To save any sinner To overcome all doubts To quiet every fear To meet every need To bless His people with renewal To use His people in soul-winning to give VICTORY! 3
Renewals come from God to His people Bible Study Praise Prayer Soul Searching Confession of sin Repentance Emptying self These make ready for renewal, for the filling with the HOLY SPIRIT. Am I willing to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Have I faith enough just to Let God do with me as He wills? 4
I. Worship a. Suggested Bible Readings i. Psalms 95:6 ii. Psalms 96:9 iii. John 4:24 iv. Revelation 14:7 v. Isaiah 6:1-8 II. PRAISE THE LORD Thank Him for blessings You have received. Read: Psalms 9:11 Psalms 67:3 Hebrews 13:15 Four-fold reason for Praise 1 Peter 2:9 5
III. Confess all known sin to the Lord! Read: Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:8-9, Psalms 51:1-16 Three kinds of sins which need confession. 1. Private sin against God alone. Must be confessed to God alone. 2. Personal sins against others. There can be no peace until these sins are confessed to God. As God leads, you may have to confess to the person wronged. Certainly you must make every effort to restore disturbed fellowship! 6
3. Public sins against the Church, The body of Christ. Sins against the church are: a. Gossip tale bearing b. Neglect of duty c. Wrong attitudes d. Whisperings and others If these are not confessed, we cannot be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT! There must be Cleansing Then filling power Then witnessing Self preparation then others Give God your best Make room for God s best ask and receive 7
Here alone with God Take time to examine YOUR OWN HEART Then turn the pages slowly Consider each question Let God guide you Lay bare every sin Ask God s forgiveness Remember If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Remember also If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 You are Here Alone with God! 8
Am I really concerned about RENEWAL? Am I willing to pay the price? Do anything God wants me to do? Is renewal and spiritual awakening FIRST in my plans? 9
Am I sinning the sin of PRAYERLESSNESS? Ye have not because ye ask not! 10
HAVE I NEGLECTED THE WORD OF GOD? 11
Have I forgiven everyone? Is all RESENTMENT out of my heart? 12
Am I willing to ask FORGIVENESS from anyone I have wronged in any way? 13
Am I IMPATIENT? Am I IRRITABLE? 14
Am I OFFENDED easily? Do my HURT FEELINGS keep me from serving God? 15
Do I get ANGRY? BEAR GRUDGES? Do I BLOW UP? Do I Swell up with RESENTMENT? 16
Have I HOSTILITY toward anyone? Am I willing here and now to ask God to help me put it out of my heart? Read: Matthew 6:12-15 Matthew 18:21-35 Luke 6:27-37 17
Have I in any way been Dishonest with God? Have I in any way been DISHONEST with my church? 18
Have I broken any PROMISES or PLEDGE Made to God? or to His church? Since my emergency is past Have I Kept my promise made in prayer? 19
Am I dishonest with others? Do I try to leave a wrong impression, if I can do it without telling a lie? 20
What about covetousness? Am I too concerned about THINGS? Have I sought MATERIAL BLESSINGS more than SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS? 21
Is there ANYTHING In my life that I would be Unwilling to Give up for CHRIST? 22
Do I deny myself daily to follow Jesus? Read: Luke 9:23 23
HAVE I PAID ALL MY DEBTS TO OTHERS? 24
Do I have anything in my possession which does not rightly belong to me? 25
Have I any Habit which I should forsake? Have I asked God s help? 26
Is there JEASLOUSY In MY HEART? 27
Do I have SINFUL PRIDE in MY HEART? 28
Have I wronged anyone and failed to make restitution? 29
Can I keep a secret? Is the reputation of another safe in my hands? 30
Have I been A TALE BEARER A GOSSIP? Have I hurt someone or my church by needless talk about someone s faults? Even if it was true DID I GLORIFY MY LORD BY TELLING IT? Did I pray for those involved? 31
Is my mind HONEST and CLEAN In the sight of GOD? Are my thoughts PURE? 32
AM I FAITHFUL TO MY WEDDING VOWS? IN DEED? IN THOUGHT? Read Matthew 5:28 33
Is my HOME A TESTIMONY For JESUS? 34
AM I WILLING AND READY TO FORGIVE ANY WRONG AGAINST ME? AGAINST MY FAMILY? 35
Have I any SECRET SIN which I have EXCUSED but should FORSAKE? 36
Have I FORGIVEN those who have talked about me? Those who have talked about my loved ones? 37
Do I have a RIGHT ATTITUDE Toward my FELLOW CHURCH MEMBERS? Toward the LEADERS IN THE CHURCH? Does my pastor KNOW that he can count on me? 38
Did I meet every SITUATION TODAY as a Christian should? Have I honestly TRIED to be a good witness for Christ today? 39
Have I WORRIED and been OVER-ANXIOUS about things over which I have no control? DO I FRET? DO I COMPLAIN? 40
Am I guilty of the SIN OF UNBELIEF? Do I really believe in the POWER OF GOD to Cleanse any sinner? Change any life? Take care of any situation? Guide me in my decisions? 41
Remember now the marvelous GRACE OF GOD He has promised to FORGIVE EVERY SIN CONFESSED TO Him! Read: Isaiah 1:18 Isaiah 44:21-22 Hebrews 8:12 Hebrews 10:17 1 John 1:7-9 Do not despair GOD LOVES YOU! 42
IV. PRAY a. For Yourself b. For Cleansing c. For Strength and Courage to forsake the sins confessed! Ask God to fill you with His HOLY SPIRIT Trust Him fear not! SURRENDER ALL self, will, ambition, desires, plans, hopes, time, talents, all. Put it all in His hands! 43
You are giving yourself to One who loves you! One who knows you the past, the future, all about you His way is best for you! PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY Ask God s help in your home. PRAY FOR YOUR CHURCH Your pastor other leaders Pray for the weak, sinning members PRAY FOR UNITY AND LOVE In the church Be sure you are a helper Not a problem here! 44
PRAY FOR BOLDNESS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL PRAY TO RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUITIES GOD GIVES EVERYDAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL Pray for the un-enlisted or backslidden Christians PRAY FOR THE UNSAVED Ask God to burden you for individuals AND TO USE YOU TO REACH THEM! 45
Next: A Prayer List We have provided a page in which you can write down people you are praying for. Some are unsaved some are unconcerned some are in a backslidden state- Remember, prayer like faith demands work. Prayer even united prayer does not take the place of direct witnessing. On the following page, Write down the name and need of the individuals you are praying for. Pray for these individually, laying their need before our heavenly Father daily. Then seek God s direction and power to put action to our prayers. 46
Prayer List 47
V. Thank God a. For your cleansing b. For His forgiveness c. For the Holy Spirit d. For RENEWAL! e. For victory! f. For the opportunities He is giving you to be a witness as you are going. Expect great things from God Do not fear to go where He leads to give your testimony. FAITH IS THE VICTORY! 48
Now before you go take a few moments to write a few words of testimony. Your impressions Your dedication Your concern Write as much as you like. GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU GO! 49