Prayer for Revival and Reformation Pt 3

 

(Picture taken by John of Dallas. Rural Oklahoma Church building in Southeastern Oklahoma)

[The following is from my letter to my congregation on 21 January 2026]

We have been praying for the revival and reformation of God’s church in U.S. the last couple of weeks (Pt 1 and Pt 2). But now I want us to be a little more limited and pray for revival and reformation of God’s church in Oklahoma. As I look around our fine State I see plenty of churches. And if the number of cars on the roadways and in church parking lots on Sunday morning are a real indication, then the number of church-going people in Oklahoma is much higher than in several other States in the Union. But all might not be so rosy. For example, if 30% of the citizens of Oklahoma are part of a congregation, that means 70% of Oklahomans aren’t part of a church. On the one hand, we have a lot of work to do in this State just in the area of evangelism. On the other hand, if 30% (ish) are regularly in churches, and hearing the Gospel and God’s whole counsel, then there should be more of a Christian impact on our State, which doesn’t seem to be the case. So, focusing on the God’s church in the State of Oklahoma is a good thing to do. 

The prayer I have in mind comes out of 2 Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” I have used this prayer for a couple of years while praying for Heritage PCA, but it seems to me to be appropriate for the church in Oklahoma, especially as we desire her revival and reformation.

Since the Lord Jesus and our Father have loved his people and given us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, and we need him to continue to comfort our hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), then this prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:5 is very fitting. 

First, we are praying that the Lord Jesus would direct the hearts of Oklahoma Christians to the love of God (which is found in Jesus, 1 John 4:7-10). That’s revival for sure. 

Second, we are praying that the hearts of God’s people in Oklahoma would become richly filled with the steadfastness of Christ, which will establish them in every good work and word. That’s reformation. 

Therefore, for the next 7 days join me in praying for revival and reformation for the church of our Lord in Oklahoma: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 

As you draw from that verse, the prayer could go something like this: “Lord Jesus, love of God in the flesh, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, be with your church in Oklahoma. Direct our hearts into the love of God afresh, so that we would again become moved by your loving, saving work in us and for us. And direct our hearts into “the steadfastness of Christ” that we would be a people established in every good work and word, faithful and loyal to you always and in all ways. Oh please, direct our hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. Amen.”

 

Pastor Mike


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