02/24/2021
Do we cry out today for God to restore us? Even as we do, are our churches failing, and our prayers losing the sweet smell of incense as they fall back flat into the golden bowl, and their smoke sinks down towards the ground where we stand lacking? If so, then what are we asking God to restore? Are we asking for relief from plague, renewed health, happiness, wealth, power, or some other earthly blessing? When we pray, our prayers should be lifted up for the restoration of our faith... not our bodies or worldly desires. Make your hearts to long for a restoration of faith, the coming of Christ, and to serve and glorify God!
“who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”
2 Timothy 1:9-10 ESV
Our hearts, souls, minds, and strength should all be directed towards our Heavenly Father as we love Him and pray for His glory. We should cry at the words that so many speak in their closets. Our hearts should break when we hear prayers for restoration directed towards earthly wants... neglecting God’s will and desire. We should mourn when the call goes out for revival in the Church, but has more to do with its worldly needs than with filling the pews with once lost souls that are now redeemed, restored, and bringing glory to the Lord. Restoration begins not with earthly things that last but a day, but with the spiritual things that are our eternity. This is how we are saved.
“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!”
Psalm 80:19 ESV
So how do we pray when we ask God to restore us? Are we asking more fervently for our daily bread and less for God’s kingdom to come, His Will to be done, and for the forgiveness He has made possible through His grace that flows through Jesus Christ? Are we praying for Jesus to come quickly, and God to be glorified, or just using His name as a key to unlock the secret door of our prayers to our worldly wants?
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 14:13 ESV
This is what we should ask when we pray to be restored... “When the Lord hears my prayer will He be glorified in the Son by doing this thing I am asking of Him in the name of Jesus?”
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers for restoration, and teach us Father how to pray in your will, and to bring you glory as we do. We most certainly have earthly needs and desires Father, but all of these should be subservient to our prayers for the spiritual needs of our soul... belief, faith, righteousness, and holiness. If we pray to be restored to you, we ask that our prayer is not meant to glorify us before others, but to glorify you above ourselves, and all things. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who hears our prayers and judges the intents of our heart in them. You hear our words Father, and although we might fool ourselves in them, they can’t escape your understanding and our disguised desires. Praised be your name for every answered prayer; for your will that is served in them, and for the glory they bring you. Have mercy Lord as you meet us in our time of secret prayer, and hear our unbridled desires. Converse with us, and let your Holy Spirit guide us in our understanding as we pray. Let our mouths cry out “Come, Lord Jesus!”, and our hearts long for your glory in His return. Wash us clean in His blood that you will find us restored, redeemed, worthy, and you glorified. In this way we pray that we, His Church, will be prepared to become His eternal bride, and in this way bring you glory forevermore.
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.””
Revelation 19:7-9 ESV
Rich Forbes