First person: A turning point for our nation

I am convinced our nation has reached a decisive turning point. Tertullian, the second-century Church Father, once declared, “The blood of Christians is seed.” Augustine later affirmed this, noting, “From that seed have sprung the crops of the Church.”

Unite scattered flames

It is no accident that Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus. God is working in all things for His glory (Rom. 8:28). What the enemy intends for evil, God will use for good. I believe this tragedy will serve as an accelerant to the sparks of revival already igniting on campuses across our land.

My prayer is that the Spirit of God will unite these scattered flames until they blaze into a mighty wildfire of awakening. If we are indeed standing on the edge of another great move of God, how should we prepare?

1. Recommit to personal prayer. Revival begins in the secret place. I was recently convicted of my own shallow prayers when longtime Alabama Baptist minister Edwin Jenkins shared how God has been reshaping his life through multiple seasons of prayer each day.

2. Lead your church to pray. Corporate prayer multiplies the power of personal prayer. Pastors and leaders must guide their congregations into persistent, united intercession.

2. Cultivate holy expectancy. Share testimonies of what God is doing across our state and nation. Jonathan Edwards wisely observed, “Revival spreads on the wings of testimony.”

3. See the darkness through the eyes of Christ. When times are darkest, God’s light shines brightest. Our world is broken and longing for stability — what an exciting moment to be bearers of His light.

4. Recognize God’s activity. From campuses to churches, God is moving in extraordinary ways. A pastor recently testified that where his preaching once drew little response, altars are now filled. He told me that his sermons are the same, but the difference is God’s Spirit blowing upon these words.

5. Prepare your church for harvest. When you pray for rain, bring an umbrella. We have prayed, and God is answering. Be ready for baptisms, discipleship and follow-up. Launch small groups and life-on-life mentoring now.

6. Embrace a prayer-driven evangelism strategy. Pair fervent prayer with an intentional evangelistic strategy. Get into your community in the love of Christ.

Defining moment

We stand at a defining moment in our nation’s history; what the enemy meant for evil, God is turning for good. May we be found faithful in prayer, bold in witness and ready to welcome God’s move among us. Who knows, this could be the beginning of another Great Awakening. To God alone receive the glory!