THE IMPORTUNATE PETITIONING MINISTER FOR AN ENDURING REVIVAL

Habakkuk 3:2

“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2). This prayer rises from a deep concern for spiritual decline and a longing for revival. Revival becomes necessary when passion has dropped, when those who once ran now walk, those who walked now crawl, and those who crawled now stand still. Revival is needed when the fire for evangelism has dwindled, when the wood is exhausted, the flame is weak, and coldness has taken hold. Revival is required when God’s people were once holier than the world around them, spiritually vibrant and moving forward, but have now cooled down and become almost equal with the world.

 

Revival is necessary when the glory of the former days appears greater than the glory of the present, when negative prophecies of the last days seem fulfilled while powerful and practical promises remain unrealised. Revival is needed when the gates of hell, which should not prevail against the church, are no longer restrained but appear to be advancing and encroaching upon the church. There is fear when the spiritually hot are becoming cold, when those who were rising are steadily descending, when passion has given way to passivity, and when things continue to worsen. This fear leads to a cry for revival in the midst of the years. “O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2). It is a plea for God to make Himself known again, to reveal His power afresh, to make Christ His Son known, and to clearly establish the position of Christ and the policy of heaven in the midst of the years.

• IMPOTUNATE PRAYER FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE WALK OF FAITH

Habakuk 3:1-2

“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakuk 3:1-2). This prayer focuses on reviving the work of faith. It begins with an urgent and persistent cry to God, rooted in the understanding that revival originates from Him. The desire is not to persuade God to do what He is unwilling to do, but to align with what is already on His heart. God desires to revive His work, His church, and His people, and He invites His people to pray according to His will.

• Reviving The Work of Faith with Freshness – Habakkuk 3:2; Galatians 5:6,22-

26. “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6). This emphasises not just activity, but work that flows from faith and expresses itself through love. Revival restores that kind of faith-driven love. “But the fruit of the
    

Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22). Love is central, and revival calls for the renewal of love for God, for Christ, for the Scriptures, for believers, and for the world, not the love of the world, but love that seeks to bring the world to Christ. When your present love is less than your former love, revival becomes urgent. Joy also needs restoration. You had joy at conversion, joy at the call into ministry, and joy in salvation. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation”. Revival is sought when the joy once known is now diminished, and the heart longs to return to that season of fullness of joy. Peace fills the heart. The Bible speaks of a peace that surpasses understanding.

 

This peace brings calmness, coolness, and tranquility. Nothing terrifies, harasses, or disturbs the mind. It is perfect peace resting on the soul. If the peace experienced today is fragile, easily shaken by circumstances, it is important to remember the peace of former years, when no sin or trial could disturb your mind. Revival of the work of God calls for the fruit of the Spirit. Long-suffering is essential, allowing you to endure repeated offences without acting offended, worried, or fretful. Reflect on the past years and the endurance of long suffering, and consider whether it still defines your life today. If patience, love, and charity are fading, prayer is necessary: “Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years.” Gentleness must remain evident in you, showing care for others as if they were tender and weak, with a soft touch and kind words. “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). Meekness must persist, following the Lord’s invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”. If meekness has vanished, the work of faith suffers, and revival is needed. Temperance, or self-control, must govern your speech, thoughts, and reactions. In past days, when provoked, there was restraint with the help of the Holy Spirit, which held your tongue; criticism, complaints, and murmuring were absent. Today, temperance is often lacking in families, workplaces, and ministries. Revival restores self-control, love, and faith in full measure.

• Rejecting The Works of The Faithless with Firmness – Habakkuk 1:5; Acts 13:40-49. Thomas refused to believe the resurrection until he saw and touched. John affirmed His resurrection, Mary recognised the Lord and was commissioned to declare His resurrection, yet Thomas doubted, hoping for personal and physical evidence. We must refuse the attitude that says “belief will only come after seeing and touching the nail prints”, because that posture is faithlessness. Reject the works, words, ideas, and opinions of the faithless, and reject them with firmness. “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you” (Habakkuk 1:5). This scripture challenged Israel to give attention to God’s work among the gentiles while Israel was still holding on to unbelief in their days.

 

This warning shows that God can be at work while people still refuse to believe, even when the truth is plainly declared. “Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder,

and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you” (Acts 13:40-41). These are sober cautions against faithlessness, addressed to religious people who were present in the synagogue. Every warning and example in Scripture must be applied personally, so that faithlessness does not cancel the expectation of prayer, the petition of the heart, and the opportunity of faith.

• Restoring the Works of Faith in Fullness – John 14:10-12; Ephesians 3:19-

21. Many read the Bible through human lenses and explain away the words of Jesus, claiming they were only for a past time, but faith must be restored in full confidence. “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10). Everything Jesus said applies to those who believe, and faith must confidently trust in the works of God. “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:11-12). This promise is not for notebooks or doctrines alone but for the heart, expectation, and the life of the believer.

 

 

You must read this verse until it settles deeply, and do not allow commentaries to dilute or shift its meaning from the greater works promised by Christ to merely inventions and gadgets, evolutions of the modern day, because devices cannot believe, repent, or exercise faith. The promise is for the believer. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Do not allow anything to weaken your confidence and trust in the Word of God, because that confidence is what sustained Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Many people read the Scriptures and then explain them away, especially passages like “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee”. Some reduce it to symbolism and claim it was not meant literally, suggesting that God did not truly mean protection in the fire. Yet that thinking contradicts the very nature of a miracle.

 

A miracle sets aside scientific expectations and accomplishes what is biologically and scientifically impossible. Because they refused to let anyone explain away the Word of God, that promise became their experience, and in the same way, the Word of God will be fulfilled in your life. Let this also be firmly built into your belief system: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Allow this truth to be fully incorporated into your belief system. “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” [Ephesians 3:21].

• IMPERATIVE PERCEPTION OF THE REVIVAL OF THE WORK OF FAITH

Habakuk 2:2-4

“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Do not complicate or modify the vision, and do not adjust it to human reasoning. Everything God showed the prophets of old appeared unbelievable, yet they delivered it exactly as given. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son” was not modified. “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me” was not altered by Moses. “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you” was not changed by Joshua. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” was not revised by Ezekiel.

 

Say exactly what God has said. Write it, make it plain, so that the one who reads it can run with it. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3). Even when waiting feels tiring, wait for it. Your blessing will come. The great miracles already stirring in your heart, spirit, soul, body, and your family will surely manifest. Wait for it. The knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; it sounds incredible, but do not change or modify it. Believe it, wait for it, and it will happen. “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

 

1. Revealing The Worthy Faith Through Honest Virtue – 2 Peter 1:3-4,5-11; Philippians 4:6-9. This faith must be made evident in our daily living. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). To be careful means to be anxious or fretful, yet anxiety must be replaced with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). The peace of God goes beyond human reasoning and psychological explanations of emotional stability. Human knowledge may analyse triggers and behaviours to achieve a measure of calm, but believers have access to a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that guards both the heart and the mind through Christ Jesus. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Meditating on these things is the pathway to enjoying the peace of God and expressing worthy faith through honest virtue. “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9). When the God of peace is with His people, there is no need to run after other sources of counsel or borrowed ideas of peace. Allowing the peace of God to rule and reign in the heart keeps the believer
   

stable in their personal and family life, grounded in divine peace rather than passing philosophies.

• Renouncing Worthless Faith Tarnished with Hollow, Vain Glory – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Matthew 7:21-23. Any kind of faith that does not lead a person to walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life is worthless. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Worthy faith produces obedience to the will of the Father. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22). “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23). This reveals a faith that displayed outward power but lacked inward transformation, a faith that did not connect the soul to Christ. Any faith that does not save, sanctify, and transform the inner man, any faith that fails to produce love, joy, peace, longsuffering, faithfulness, and temperance, and any faith that does not bring harmony into relationships is worthless. Religious activity without inner change leads to the tragic declaration, “I never knew you.”

• Renewing Working Faith with The Heavenly Vision – Acts 26:16-20; 2 Thessalonians 1:3,11-12. This is a working faith that begins in personal life and aligns with the work of God. “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly” (2 Thessalonians 1:3). Growth is the evidence of life. What has life grows, but what is dead cannot. When the living word is planted in the heart, faith grows, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. God is pleased when faith grows exceedingly, just as growth is expected in a living child. Stagnation in faith, love, joy, peace, faithfulness, and relationships brings no pleasure to God. Growth should be continual, deeper, stronger, fresher, and higher. The apostle rejoiced because their faith grew exceedingly and “the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

 

• IDENTIFIABLE PATTERN OF REVIVABLE WORKS OF FAITH

Habakuk 2:4

• The Lively Work of Faith Demonstrated by The Purified – Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:5-6. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death” (Hebrews 11:5). The Lord will rapture His church based on a living faith connection with Him. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). Faith is what pleases God. Faith produces a life that satisfies God, meets His demand, and gives Him glory. “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6).
  

Tears alone cannot please Him. Zeal without rest cannot please Him. Loud testimonies cannot please Him. Abundant good works, even when they increase and surpass former works, cannot please Him without faith. Only living, vibrant faith, faith that allows nothing to stand between you and God, pleases Him. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. Faith draws people to God. Faith makes one come to God, and not run away from Him. When the word of God is heard, true faith responds by coming to God in prayer. Habitually hearing the word and walking away without prayer is not faith. Faith brings the heart closer to God. “For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith believes the word that is heard. Faith believes the promises God has given. Faith believes that God is who He says He is and that He does not change, for He remains the same forever.

• The Lying Wonders of Falsehood, Deceiving the Perishing – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelations 13:13-14. While there are true wonders, there are also false wonders. This is clearly seen in the book of Exodus, where Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and it became a serpent. That act alone did not move Pharaoh, because the magicians also cast down their rods, and their rods likewise became serpents. However, when the magicians replicated the sign, those lying wonders hardened the heart of Pharaoh. They also hardened the hearts of the magicians themselves and the hearts of the Egyptians. This shows that not all wonders are the same. There are faultless wonders that come from God, and there are false wonders that deceive. False wonders do not produce repentance or faith; instead, they deceive those who are perishing. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). It is not enough to preach the truth or hear the truth; there must be love for the truth. Those who reject the love of the truth will be deceived and perish. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

1. The Latter-Day Watchmen Over His Flock, Directing His Pilgrims – Acts 20:28,32; Titus 1:5-9. In these latter days, God has raised watchmen over His flock to direct pilgrims on their journey. God will revive His work. Each believer is His workmanship in Christ. He shall revive your faith, love, commitment, and restore your first love. When ministers and members are revived together, the church carries the gospel to the world with life and power. Such revival begins with the ministers, flows to the members, and eventually reaches the world. There is a call to be instruments of revival, carrying a burning word that propels action. May the reviving words, regenerating and life-giving words that quicken the dead by the power of God, flow from us to the world around us, making us a latter-day
   

watchman over his house. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). “O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2). This is a cry for mercy, grace, love, compassion, and divine help. May God revive His work, His people, and His Church.