Today we continue talking about Revival Praying...

... and how that prayer can make a difference in us and those around us. James 5:16 (NLT2) The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Something that has always bothered me as a follower of Christ is when I hear believers boast about their position in Christ and speak so much of their privileges because of that. I am a king’s kid, I am a son of God or daughter of God, I am wealthy, I am healthy, I am seated in high places, I am lifted up with Jesus, I am, I am, I am. How many of you know there is only one Great I am? I see a contrast is Scripture that shows me a different attitude about who we are and the more I study it, the more I believe it has an impact on our prayers. 

1. The scum of the earth. 1 Corinthians 4:13 (NIV) “Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” So what is the scum of the earth? The scum of the earth is neither humanity nor of devils. It is not bad but good. No, not even good, but the very best. It is not material but spiritual, not of Satan but of God. Not only of the church but a group of believers. The apostle Paul was saying we apostles are the refuse of the world. Evidently, Paul had not read the latest self-help book on positive confession. 

2. The least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9 (NKJV) “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” Could there possibly be any connection between Paul’s humility (how he saw himself) and how he was so tremendously used by God? I definitely think so. His humility motivated him to serve God and work harder. 

3. Esteem God and others above yourself. Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) ^“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. “ Dr. Duke and I were talking a few weeks back about how the Word of God will show us patterns if we are willing to look for them and discern them. I see a pattern here in Philippians. Put Jesus first and be like Jesus. Put others next. Esteem others better than yourself. Humble yourself before God. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Let God be the One Who exalts you. Good instruction for those who want to do Revival Praying!