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An Anniversary Plea for Revival

An Anniversary Plea for Revival

Happy Anniversary, New Covenant Bible Church!

Though our official anniversary will be celebrated the first Sunday of May, we have been worshiping, praying, serving, loving, and growing together for over a year now. Last year on Good Friday we worshiped together for the first time as New Covenant Bible Church—this Lord’s Day we will celebrate our second Resurrection Sunday together.

I want to commend you for obeying the admonition of the Apostle Paul: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). You have brought much joy to the hearts of your elders “by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Phil. 2:2).

It is not common for the marriage of two congregations to proceed so smoothly. We can only give glory to God for the grace he has poured into our lives by making us one. As the song says—

Only by Your mercy can we come to You

Though we deserved Your judgment You have called us by name

So we glory in the cross of Christ that made us Yours forever

That joined our lives together to sing:

Not to us, but to Your Name alone

Be all the glory, the glory, forever

For Your faithfulness and steadfast love

Receive the glory, the glory belongs to You.


As we look forward to our second year of life together, there is one activity I believe will cement our unity and propel us forward in advancing the gospel more than anything else. I’m talking about corporate prayer.

This past week I read a refreshing account of the work of God’s Spirit in reviving Christ’s church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Pastor Bill Elliff writes:

On Sunday, April 3, 2011, God’s presence was unusually intense at our church (The Summit Church in North Little Rock). As I was preaching on quenching the Holy Spirit, I could not finish my message. God had called people to not despise (bring to nothing by their lack of response) what God was saying. A man stood up and cried out, “We must do this right now!”


We entered into a time of prayer that extended to three hours of intense confession, brokenness, and surrender. A C-130 pilot admitted he’d never been baptized and took off his shoes running to the baptistry. Four more people followed suit.


We had a regularly scheduled First Monday prayer meeting the next night, which usually is attended by 50-70 people since it’s beginning in January. More than 200 people arrived and it turned into 3½ hours of intense reviving activity. We decided to meet the next night—275 people came with increased obedience and interceding intensity. The next night 350 people. For five continuous nights the people have gathered for three to four hours of incredible movement.  


God called us into intense travail for the churches of our city that God would come and it would not be something merely at The Summit, but across Central Arkansas. We are hearing reports of God’s activity in several places. Last Sunday, one church had eighteen spontaneous baptisms in their service, which has never happened before... [You can read more at www.truewoman.com/?id=1674]


As I read accounts like this, I am moved to pray, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:1). “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!” (Isaiah 64:1-3).

I believe God intends to move mightily through the extraordinary, united prayer of His people. Therefore, I think it’s impossible to overestimate the importance of our monthly prayer meetings for spiritual breakthroughs. This month would you commit to joining us for our Concert of Prayer for Breakthroughs in Gospel Outreach? It will be next Wednesday night, April 27, from 5:30—8:15. Feel free to come and go as your schedule allows.

Anniversaries are meant to be celebrated—and we’re looking forward to a grand day of worship, food, and fellowship on Sunday, May 1. Please plan to join us for the All-Church Anniversary Meal following our morning worship services. Details as to how you can serve are in the sidebar announcement.

Delighting in all that God has done for us—and desiring still more for His glory and our good,

Pastor David Sunday