Praying for Spiritual Renewal

"Parents" magazine, December 2013, artist unknown.

Before you read any further, I would encourage you to prayerfully, with the Holy Spirit, examine the above picture. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak into your heart and life using this image.

When we are in the spiritual desert, there comes a point where we will do anything to get out. We are in a place of desperation and are crying out to God to intervene. The spiritual renewal we long for is to be close to God again, to hear his voice and have a renewed desire to seek Him.

Please note. Spiritual renewal has absolutely nothing to do with us. We cannot earn it. We cannot use some formula to receive it. Spiritual renewal is an act of grace and mercy by the Triune God (Ephesians 2:8-9). All we can do is create spaces that allow God to bring about His spiritual renewal into our lives on His time, will and way. It is with this mindset that we pursue spiritual renewal.

We can creates spaces for God to work and move in our life, but He is the one who responds. What follows are different spaces you can create in your life to foster spiritual renewal. Think of it as adding ingredients to make a batch of cookies.

The space of prayer

Before we enter a season of renewal, we often to do not have a desire to meet and commune with God in prayer, in whatever form that may take for you. Our times of prayer often feel dry, unfruitful and extremely difficult. But my encouragement is to still continue to meet with God in prayer. These are the times when our spiritual roots will dig deeper into our spiritual soil desperately looking for water. Even though we are not finding spiritual water to drink, our relationship with God is actually growing stronger. This is not often seen in the moment, but when we finish the season of the spiritual desert, we will more fully understand the importance of creating a space for prayer in hope of spiritual renewal.

The space of the Word

Often, like prayer, reading the Word in the spiritual desert is dry, empty and can even seem legalistic. But my encouragement to you is to continue to create of space of reading God's Word, in whatever way fits best. Even though we cannot often feel it, reading the Word does a mysterious work in our soul and cultivates ground for spiritual renewal. God's Word is alive and active, even when our soul feels dry and dead. Continue to create a space for spiritual renewal by reading the Word.

The space of worship

Worship (in this context, praise) is powerful. What I have found helpful is finding songs that I can "soak" in. By soak, I mean allowing the music to wash over me as I maintain an attitude of worship before God under the music. Pandora is often a helpful tool. You can create a worship station and just sit before God soaking in the music as worship to Him. Fall Afresh and I Surrender are songs that I have found helpful.

The space of fasting

Fasting is mysterious. When we deny ourselves (food, or whatever the Lord calls us to fast from), it creates a space for God to work in powerful ways. Jesus even expects his followers to fast (Matthew 6:16) and the context of spiritual renewal is a perfect opportunity to engage in this practice. For whatever reason, fasting is like going from a small squirt gun to a super soak, spiritually. Fasting does a work in our soul that only fasting can produce. Some seasons call for the space of fasting. (Also see: Ezra 8:21, 23; Jonah 3:5, 10; Daniel 9:2-4a, 20-22a)

The space of confessing sin

When we begin to create spaces for spiritual renewal, God will mostly likely address the sin in our lives. Sometimes God reveals sin we did not even know we had committed or are committing. Psalm 66:18 provides profound insight, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." If we hold sin in our heart, our prayers will be hindered. (Also see: Matthew 6:14 & 1 Peter 3:7). Confessing our sin is often an essential practice for spiritual renewal. We can ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and lives to clear up any sin that needs to be addressed. Confession of sin renews our relationship with God.

The space of surrender

God blesses surrender. I believe He desires every area of our lives to be fully surrendered to Him. If we are withholding areas of our lives from Him, He will often respect our space and not invade (although sometimes He will!). We can ask the Holy Spirit to search our lives and reveal where we are not surrendered to Him. Then when He highlights an area, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:15), but willfully hand over to Him what is rightfully His.

The space of humility

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

"Humble yourself under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5:6)

Humble yourself before the Lord. Create a space of humility by getting on your knees before God and bowing down. This is powerful. Often the physical act of bowing down causes our soul to bow as well. In your time of prayer, practice bowing down before God in humility asking for spiritual renewal.

The space of asking

"How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13b)

Ask God for spiritual renewal. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. The Father so desires to give you more of His Spirit if you ask Him. Ask consistently and do not give up! He will respond (Luke 18:1-8).

The space of renewal

By creating the above spaces (and others not listed here), you are cultivating your spiritual soil for renewal. Spiritual renewal does not often happen immediately or even quickly at times. It is hard work. My current spiritual desert has been about three weeks now, and counting. Others have been much, much longer. But God is faithful. He will renew me on His time, will and way as I create spaces for Him to bring spiritual renewal. He can do the same for you.

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So as you pursue spiritual renewal, remember God is the one who brings about your spiritual renewal. It is an act of His mercy and grace. Our role is to create spaces in our lives that will cultivate our soil for spiritual renewal and allow the life-giving water of the Spirit to flow once again.

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Holy Spirit, as we ask for and create spaces for spiritual renewal, may you by your mercy and grace, renewal us again with a hunger and desire to seek you, and a passion to live more fully for Your Kingdom. Amen.