Awakening in the United States is on the Way

Anticipate.  The dictionary gives multiple definitions of this word, some of which are: to regard as probable; to be aware of (what will happen) and take action in order to be prepared; and look forward to.  This word has played into my life many times in many ways.

I remember as a child anticipating special events like Christmas, birthdays and that last day of school before summer break. I remember anticipating my 16^th birthday knowing the first order of the day would be a trip to the DMV to get my driver’s license. I remember the anticipation I felt those few days before November 25, 1981 when I knew my life would change forever (for the better!) as Donna would become my wife and we would be a family.  I remember anticipating the birth of our daughter, Kristina, and the many joys she would bring to our world.  It seems so many of the big important events of my life have been preceded by a season of waiting with expectation – anticipation.

There was never any doubt these things would happen but that did not change the fact I had to wait and, in many cases, make preparation.  My patience was sometimes tested but when the time was right, it happened. 

This lesson must not be lost in the realm of the Spirit.  As believers, we learn to pray and wait.  During our time of waiting we grow and receive revelation.  Our prayers are not futile religious exercises – they are bathed in faith and rooted in God’s Word. As this process is taking place, we look forward to the response of our Father – we anticipate His answer. 

For a long time, many of us have been praying for an awakening in our nation.  We have watched the moral decay and the downward spiral of our society.  We have seen the overt effort to remove God from the public square.  We have seen the desensitization of the populace and their willingness to accept sin as normal.  We have witnessed all of this yet believed at some point the wind of revival would blow again. At times it has not looked promising – it has even seemed impossible – but we have kept on praying…and anticipating.

I know some will say I am foolish for writing this.  Others will think I am giving in to wishful thinking.  Disbelief has always existed and certainly abounds in many today, but…my spirit is rising within me in anticipation for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our nation and around the globe.  I believe God has heard (and is hearing) the cries of His children and His promise to pour out of His Spirit in the last days is about to happen!  My heart is burning within me with anticipation!

Throughout its history the United States of America has played a major role in what God has done in this world.  It was not mere coincidence that a small group of people sailed across the Atlantic Ocean toward the New World in 1620 seeking religious freedom.  These pilgrims had no idea what their landing at Plymouth Rock would begin.  A nation would be born that would be a lighthouse for freedom to the entire world and assume the lead in taking the Gospel to the four corners of the globe.  Anyone who tries can see, despite egregious sin and error on the part of many, God has greatly used this country.

I do not believe God is finished with us yet!  I know we have failed Him.  I know great injustices and much evil is present.  I get it – God is in the business of building His Kingdom and not the systems of men.  I know God is not an American.  But…there remains a strong presence of His Body in the nation and until we are taken away He will be working.

The call goes out, today, for the Church to assume its position and prepare for what is coming.  We must be a unified Body – not a white church/black church; not a conservative church/progressive church; not a traditional church/modern church.  We must be His Church – washed in His blood, filled with His Spirit and committed to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”  We cannot let any distraction keep us from His charge.  The Church in this country must come together and lead the way in an awakening that will shake the very foundation of this world.

How can this happen?  Well…it is really not that difficult.  We make it complicated by our opinions and endless analyses.  We feel the need to create strategies and programs.  Under the guise of finding consensus, we study until we stall and nothing gets done.  It is probably time to simplify and return to some basics.  Here are my thoughts…

1.  PRAY.  We know how to do this.  We may have to return to an old-fashioned concept of tarrying, but we know how to do this.  We know how to pray until we pray through.  We know how to pray until we get into a spirit of prayer.  We do not need a manual or a workshop – we just need to pray.  Let’s not complicate things – let’s pray.

Revival will come to America when we pray.  This revival will spread throughout the world when we pray.  “…For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

As we commit to prayer, the Holy Spirit will begin to speak to us.  He will lead us into truth and give us direction.  He will convict us of sin and reveal iniquity within us.  If we respond as we should, this will move us to the next important step.

2.  PREPARE.  This is where personal responsibility comes into play. We accept as sure as some things can only be done by God; some things God expects from us.  Our attention to the Holy Spirit’s directives aligns us with His will and allow us to participate in the divine plans He has for our country and world.

The last days will be marked by a fresh wind of the Spirit.  Structure and systems that cannot accommodate this will need to be changed.  This will not be change for change sake; it will simply be an adjustment of our sails in order to be moved by the Holy Spirit.  The praying Christian who has prayed through self, tradition and the world will understand this and willingly do it.  The carnal Christian who chooses to give lip-service to preparation will miss it.  The choice is really that simple.

I am convinced from the Word of God, a large part of our preparation must be repentance.  “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17)

Repentance has been a popular subject in recent years as prominent leaders have led us in repenting for the sins of our nation.  While I believe this is good and necessary, I caution the believer lest you feel this alleviates the need for personal repentance.  I am repulsed by abortion, human trafficking, social injustice and so many other sins in our nation and I know God is as well.  But…we will be in a much stronger position with God when we first deal with our own sin.  Pride, prejudice, cheating, lying, sowing discord, secret sin we think is hidden…on and on the list goes – these sins cannot be glossed over.  Personal repentance must take place and will be a huge element in our preparation process.  When we come clean before God and turn from our sin, He will hear our prayers and heal our land.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

3.  ANTICIPATE.  When we pray and prepare – get ready!  Our Father who loves us more than we can possibly understand is so ready to respond to us with his absolute best.  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  (Matthew 7:11)

It is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when.  We understand His response will come in His time.  We wait…but we wait with expectation.  We anticipate any day now the answer will come.

God is a man of His word.  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) He will do what He said He would do.  It is time to stand up straight, square our shoulders and look resiliently toward the heavens.  Our answer is on the way!

Now I need to say something that must be heard – our enemy, the devil, will not give up easily.  He has a chokehold on many areas of our country and he will not let go without a fight.  Even recently as we have begun to see the possibility of some positive breakthroughs to some longstanding problems, he has reared his ugly head and gotten in the way.  Riots in the streets, deep division in government and a deadly virus that disrupted every area of our society are just some examples of his intrusion.  Expect more to come.

The devil will fight but we will win!  We will win if we pray, prepare and anticipate.  There is no question about it.  Hold on to this and fight back from a standpoint of victory.  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

I am not ashamed to tell anyone I love my country.  I still get a lump in my throat when I stand at a ballgame with my hand over my heart and hear the national anthem.  I still believe God brought us into existence for divine purpose.  I still believe He wants to use us in this world.  I still believe revival is near.  I have not lost hope.  I still believe.

It may not come like we thought it would.  God may use people we would not expect Him to use.  All of that is all right with me.  I will leave the details to God and fully trust His plan.  I am just hungry for revival that stretches from coast to coast and spreads to every nation of the world.  You may say it cannot happen.  I say just watch!  I am anticipating!