As I age, I find myself greeting each January with the thought that maybe this will be the year of the Great American Revival.

I prayed and fasted that we would see such an awakening in 2011. I will continue this practice in 2012.

In this regard, I have found a small, self-published book called “Re”wording Our Prayers for Spiritual Change to be most helpful. I have a new copy to write in this year.

Long-time church staff-person Shirley Wilson is the person who put this together. It is a 66-page compilation of “re” words that she defines, illustrates from Scripture, writes a corporate prayer about, gives questions for personal meditation or small-group discussion, and then provides space for readers to write their own prayer or prayers.

“Re” words include reaffirm, rebirth, rebuild, rebuke, reclaim, recover, rectify, redeem ... well, you get the idea. There are 31 in all (enough for a month) and each is revival-related.

I have gone through the booklet three times now and assume I will do it again a time or two in 2012. It helps me focus on my number-one prayer request of the Lord—another sweeping movement of the Holy Spirit.

To download a copy for yourself, please click here.
 
 
 
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?

Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?

David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.

We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains' website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
 
 
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