Revive Us Again

“LORD, You have been favorable to Your land … Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease … Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation.” – Psalm 85:1, 4, 6-7

The psalmist realized his nation faced serious problems. Their only hope was to turn to God. Acknowledging their sins, he pleaded with God for mercy to revive and save them.

Like the psalmist, we can be confident that God desires to help and save us. But there is a condition: We must not “turn again to folly” (v. 8). We must turn from our sins. We must please Him. Seek Him.

Like the psalmist, we can know that when God blesses us, mercy, righteousness, and peace will reign in the land. Instead of deceit and falsehood, the truth will “spring out of the earth.” God will “give what is good” (vs. 11-12). God will give a blessing, and the land will yield an increase. But for this to take place, we need His forgiveness. We need His favor and blessing.

Today is the National Day of Prayer in the US. This is a reminder of the importance of prayer – a reminder to pray for your country, your leaders, and the needs of your people.

Today, spend time seeking God for your country. Pray for leaders and politicians, judges, and local officials. Pray for business and military leaders. Pray for pastors and churches. Pray that God would give all of us wisdom and reveal Himself to us in fresh ways. And pray that He would forgive our sins, be merciful to us, and revive us again.

Reflection Question: Write out a prayer for revival in our country.