I CAN GIVE YOU A PRESCRIPTION THAT WILL BRING REVIVAL”
John David Hicks, Evangelist\Bible Teacher © 1998
These are the word’s of Dr. Reuben A. Torrey who saw God give revival in the late 1800’s. His “prescription” included three basic requirements.
FIRST: Let a few Christians get thoroughly right with God. If this is not done, the rest will come to nothing.
SECOND: Let them bind themselves together to pray for revival until God opens the widow of heaven and comes down.
THIRD: Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for His use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ. That is all.
Dr. Torrey said, “I have given this prescription around the world, and in no instance has it failed. It cannot fail.”
LOOK AT THAT FIRST CONDITION AGAIN:
“Let a few Christians get thoroughly right with God.” But this is what Christians are so reluctant to do! “Getting right with God” means not only being sure of your fellowship with God, it also means having a clear conscience before men as well. Read Ephesians 4:25-26. Most of the time it is our relationship with others that hinder are relationship with God (1 John 2:9-10). Not holding a grudge against anyone, forgiving “seven times seven” as Jesus said. It means always telling the truth. It’s means not taking advantage of others. It means not stealing the reputation or good name of another by gossip. It means to use your words to build up, not to tear down (James 3:10). It means you won’t grieve the Holy Spirit with bitterness, wrath or malice. It means you will “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Remember, Psalms 119:165, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).
“GETTING THOROUGHLY RIGHT WITH GOD” Dr. Torrey says, demands ruthless examination of ourselves and honest confession of sin, both to God and to any person you have sinned against. Only then will “our heart not condemn us not only then will we have “confidence toward God. Only then will we know that “whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”
Lastly, Dr. Torrey asks, HOW GREATLY DO YOU WANT REVIVAL? Do you truly believe God’s word that if you humble yourselves, and pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from your wicked ways, we will hear from heaven, and God will forgive our sin, and heal our land?
Dr. Torrey knew from experience that few Christians will pay the price of self-denial involved in this pray. But it doesn’t take many. “Let a few Christians get thoroughly right with God themselves.” Would you dare to be one of these Christians? Maybe in your church or town there are some others like yourself. Would you come together to pray for revival until God opens the windows of heaven and blessing, power, and conviction comes down? Would you be available for God’s service? To be used as He sees fit in winning others to Christ?
PRAYER PLUS GOOD WORKS, EQUALS A HARVEST. Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Acts 4:12, “There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved. Knowing this, I ask Christians two important questions: 1) What is the greatest thing that has happened to you in all your life? Answer for Christians, knowing Jesus as my Savior. 2) If knowing Jesus as your Savior is the greatest thing that can happen to any person, what is the greatest thing you can do for a sinner? Wouldn’t it be sharing your faith in Jesus Christ?
WILL YOU PARTICIPATE IN OPERATION ANDREW? The Scripture repeatedly tells us to bring others to Christ. The outstanding example is Andrew, who after he found Christ, the Bible says, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). Then he brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:40-42).”
Often Christians have wished and have even prayed that a friend or loved one would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and become a disciple of the Lord. Often it is God who has put this person on our hearts and is working on them too putting in their mind a secret desire to be a Christian. But they may not know how to become a Christian or who they can ask for guidance. This is where the “Operation Andrew” plan comes into play for the coming revival with Evangelist John David Hicks.
This is an opportunity to be like Andrew, Jesus’ disciple, who brought others to the Savior. Read the five steps and register your commitment.
Five Steps in Operation Andrew
1. List names of five individuals who have spiritual needs.
2. Begin to pray for these people.
3. Cultivate their friendship.
4. Plan to bring them to the services.
5. Follow them up until they are linked to the church.
My Personal Commitment
The Lord helping me, l will pray daily for each of these, cultivate their friendship, bring them to the revival services, encourage them to commit their lives to Christ, and help to follow up their decision.
1. __________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
4. __________________________
5. __________________________
Signed _______________________________