MadisonChristians.com commentary by Fred Grossenbach –
Many of us have been praying for Revival in Madison for years. The prayer still goes on. We long to see God work in powerful miraculous ways to transform the city.
I’m reminded however of Jesus’ statement to the Pharisees in the Gospel of John chapter 5 verse 17: “My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working.” So Jesus is at work today, right here in Madison. I think also of the parable of the sower and the seed in Luke chapter 8:5 -8. Jesus explains the parable starting in verse 11 of the same chapter. the seed, he says, is the word of God.
So that got me thinking about all the ways that the word of God is being sown today right here in Madison:
- every gospel preaching Spirit-filled church that proclaims the word of God every time they meet;
- every Vacation Bible School where thousands of children hear the word of God every summer;
- every Bible study where the word of God is explored discussed and applied;
- every prayer group;
- every Bible Camp;
- every parachurch ministry;
- every healing prayer service;
- every discipleship training program;
- every Christian podcast;
- every Christian social media post;
- every Christian YouTube Sermon or teaching;
- every testimony of the Saints.
Yes, we should pray for Revival but we should also remember that God is working today and so is Jesus. If we are not involved personally in any of the activities described above, we can pray with a new focus, a focus on how God’s word will accomplish his purpose when it goes forth. (Isaiah chapter 55:10-11).
We can also pray for the leaders, the volunteers, the participants, the students and children who are hearing the word of God perhaps for the very first time. We can pray against any attempts of the enemy to block the word from accomplishing its purpose. In other words, we can join God in what he is already doing in Madison by praying with a new focus and intensity.