Revival Teachings from Winkey Pratney 2020

As part of the recent Revival meetings at the Christchurch Town Hall, Winkie Pratney shared some wisdom about revival.  

Desire God, not revival.  Seek God, not the signs and wonders.  He is the one to be sought and they will follow.

Be prepared for opposition to revival. There are three main oppositions we should ‘expect’ and be ready for.  They are the same three that were used against Nehemiah when he sought to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem:

1.     Ridicule / mocking

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Nehemiah 4:1-2

Know your identity. Take your proper place in God’s order, not too big and not too small. Every Christian is a forgiven child of God who is to obey the Great Commission.

2.     Cynicism

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:3 (Note that Tobiah’s name means ‘goodness of God’, which suggests that he came from a past of knowing God’s goodness but had become a bondservant of Sanballat.)

Don’t let the cynicism from people, who still hold on to the disappointments of their past, hold you back from loving God and seeking his will in the present. Love and trust God.

3.     Discouragement (even when so close to achieving the goal)

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”

But they were scheming to harm me; ……..  They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:1-2, 9.

Beware of discouragement when you are getting close to your goal.  Recognise it for what it is, pray for God’s strength and keep pursuing God’s will.