SBC PRAYER & FASTING - MAY 1

 Greetings,
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!" Luke 13:34

"O America, America how often I would have gather you unto Me. . . but you would not!"

Christ expresses His desire for Jerusalem to come unto Him; but they would not. In Isaiah, God declared all that He had done for Israel, and yet they would not serve Him. God sent Nathan the prophet to King David, after David had taken Bathsheba, committing adultery and then killing Urijah her husband. Nathan declared God's words to David, "I gave you your enemies, I gave you riches and wealth and all the kingdom. And if that was too small for you, how much more would I have given to you?" But he would not and sinned greatly against the Lord. Our nation has been blessed above all nations with advancement, wealth, technology, freedoms and opportunities to do much for our Lord's kingdom. Where much is given, much is required; and we would not, but have turned away from Him, time and time again. Yet, God in His rich grace and mercy has been filled with longsuffering and lovingkindness to our nation.

Great moves of God have come to our nation after God sets His people to prayer. The great prayer movements of old, was honored by God, in sending His Spirit to revive His church and cause a great awakening of lost souls. The prayer movement of 1857 -58 saw 3 million souls come to Christ in months; that was 10% of the population for the US then. In the 1790's Isaac Backus, a man of prayer and a Baptist, called for others to join him in having concerts of prayer. They had seen the proof of God honoring those concerts of prayer in the 1740's in Scotland and with Jonathan Edwards for the 1st Great Awakening. They returned to it and God send His Divine Presence upon the churches. Thank God for faithful men to see their churches become houses of prayer. Blessed are each that "give themselves unto prayer." 

Our nation has seen a move of God that is increasing baptisms. However, we still see 80% of our 330 million population without Christ. Cities, homes, and lives are without Christ and one breath from eternity without Him for ever. Remember, "once in hell, always in hell". The church languishes for the true power of God and Presence of His Holy Ghost to impact this lostness. A real revival will restore the power and Presence in a moment for His glory and kingdom. 

Let us come before His holy throne and beseech for His mercy. Remembering, "in wrath remember mercy" O God! Make Your glory known to Your people. "You said You would pour out water on the dry and thirsty. Lord, we are so parched for Your Presence." Manifest Yourself to Your people, one more time for a genuine revival of holiness, faithfulness and righteousness. 

You are being asked to fast one day out of the month and join us in these prayer for revival for the church and salvation to lost masses. Praying this month for our nation, who is in desperate need of the Savior. So many sits in the churches with lost children, wayward siblings, and grandchildren being swept up into the world. Seek and save that which is entrusted to us of our families and friends. 

This is an invite to all of SBC life. Join us and gather with others who are desiring to see such a move of God for our present hour. Come together as churches and brothers and sisters in Christ and set aside one day a month to fast and pray together. Join others across our SBC convention that are crying out to God. Pulling away from food and fasting before the Lord for His gracious and needful Spirit to come. 

Until,
Dan Biser

A Call to Southern Baptist: One Day to Fast, One Cry for Revival

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her — how often I would have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not!"
— Luke 13:34

O America, America — how often would the Lord have gathered you unto Himself... but you would not!

Christ’s heart broke for Jerusalem. Despite every act of mercy and every call to repentance, they hardened their hearts. In Isaiah’s day, the Lord declared all He had done for Israel, and yet, "they would not serve Him." God declared, "how much more could I have done for them?" But they would not! God sent Nathan to David, rebuking him: "I gave you your enemies, your wealth, your kingdom — and if that had been too little, I would have given you much more." Yet David sinned greatly.

And what of us? What of America, blessed beyond measure — with advancement, wealth, technology, freedom, and opportunity to glorify the name of Christ? "To whom much is given, much is required." But we have turned away time and again.

Still, our God — rich in mercy, abundant in lovingkindness, longsuffering — has not abandoned us.

Throughout history, every great move of God has come when His people have humbled themselves and prayed. The Prayer Revival of 1857–1858 brought three million souls to Christ in a matter of months — ten percent of the U.S. population at that time. In the 1790s, Isaac Backus and others called for "concerts of prayer," believing in the promises that shook nations in the First Great Awakening. And God honored them, sending His divine presence upon His people.

Blessed are the churches that become houses of prayer. Blessed are those who give themselves wholly to prayer. Why is prayer and fasting cast off from the church today? 

Today, our nation is still in desperate need. Baptisms may rise in places, but 80% of our 330 million citizens remain without Christ. Cities, homes, hearts — empty and one breath away from eternal separation from Him. "Once in hell, always in hell." Our churches are languishing for the true power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

We cannot organize revival. We cannot manufacture revival. We can only seek Him for it. Revival is God's sovereign act. May we receive His blessing as we seek Him.

We must fall on our faces and cry, as Habakkuk did, "O Lord, in wrath remember mercy!"
We must thirst as Isaiah promised: "I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground."

O God, our land is parched! Our churches are dry! Manifest Your glory once more among Your people!

Therefore, we are calling all SBC pastors, workers, and leaders:
Set aside one day each month to fast and to pray.
Fast for revival. Pray for the salvation of millions.
Intercede for lost children, wayward siblings, prodigal grandchildren being swept into the world.
Stand in the gap for your cities, your homes, your churches.

This is an invitation to all who labor in SBC life:
Join hands across the nation.
Gather your churches.
Cry out to God with one voice.
Forsake the ordinary — seek the extraordinary.

FAST - Pull away from food. Pull away from distractions.
And pull heaven down by prayer.

"If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray..." — He will hear. He will heal.

Will you stand with us?
Will you fast and pray for the rain of revival?

The hour is late. The fields are white. The time to pray is now.

Until,
Dan Biser
rdbiser@live.com

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