CONCERT OF PRAYER

 "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord."

—Joel 1:14

A CALL TO PRAYER AND FASTING FOR REVIVAL & SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

We are in the midst of a season of spiritual blessings. Since the Asbury revival of February–March 2023, there have been ongoing reports of spiritual awakening. College campuses have witnessed numerous outbreaks and intentional opportunities to share the gospel message, with hundreds being baptized. Additionally, many churches over the past 18 months have reported increases in baptisms and salvations. To see and hear of these developments brings great joy, especially after years and decades marked by languishing faith and the rise of greater evil across our nation.

Scripture tells us plainly, "There is a time for everything," and we have long prayed and labored before the Lord for a season of revival and refreshing. However, this is not yet revival—it is a season of refreshing. Greater days of real revival could still lie ahead. As the old hymn says, "Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead."

While this season of refreshing continues, let us do all that we can to promote and practice spiritual disciplines, seeking the Lord to unleash a greater outpouring of His Spirit upon the church and the nations. Celebrate and give thanks to God for what we have seen and heard, but do not be content, nor assume this is all that the Lord has for us. Thus, the purpose of this letter: let us be intentional about prayer and fasting for a powerful, Spirit-filled revival to fall upon the churches. This will advance His kingdom and empower His people to bring forth greater fruit for His glory and honor.

This requires us to pray and fast. Scripture gives clear commands, examples from Christ and the apostles, and the testimony of the early church about the power of these spiritual disciplines. Yet somewhere along the way, fasting has largely been lost among the practices of the church. Let us remember the blessings that prayer and fasting can accomplish when God’s people come before Him.

I invite you to join us in setting aside each Thursday as a day of fasting and prayer for two purposes:

  1. To seek a real revival to fall upon the church, God’s people.
  2. To seek an increase in the spiritual awakening of lost souls, leading to genuine salvation and right standing with the Lord.

There is a stranglehold of sin and evil on many communities, homes, and places across our nation. Yet Christ taught us, "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:29). Let us therefore dedicate ourselves to prayer and fasting for God’s victory.

In the days of Jonathan Edwards, he and other pastors followed the example of the "concerts of prayer" initiated by John Erskine and other Scottish pastors. They set aside a day at the beginning of each month for special times of prayer and fasting, seeking God to move mightily among them. Fifty years later, as the fires of revival began to wane and lukewarm religion set in, Isaac Backus and other pastors revived the practice, leading to the Second Great Awakening. What are we waiting for? "Let us give ourselves to prayer" (Psalm 109:4) and fasting. Perhaps the Lord, in His mercy and grace, will take these embers and turn them into raging revival fires across our nation and the nations.

I pastor two churches in West Virginia. For nearly 20 years, the Lord has led me to seek prevailing prayer for revival among the church. The study and knowledge of historic revivals testify to God’s power and mercy. However, we are not seeking emotionalism or false revival fires, which have misled many in the past. This is why I refer to it as "real revival."

Therefore, I am asking you to join us each Thursday in 2025 for a day of prayer and fasting. Let each individual establish their fast, choosing abstinence from food and/or drink as they are able. For those who can gather, I encourage meeting once a month for specific prayer for revival in the church.

WHEN: Each Thursday in 2025, starting January 2, 2025.
WHAT: A day of fasting and specific prayer for God to manifest His presence and bring real revival.
WHO: An invitation to SBC pastors, churches, entities, and seminaries.

We aim to assist and teach those unfamiliar with the practice of fasting. Numerous resources are available for guidance. For those who sign up, we will maintain contact to share updates and encourage one another as we progress.

Until,
Dan Biser
rdbiser@live.com

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