Young People's Group

PRAYER FOR RESTORATION

by Pastor Mitch
November 11, 2007

Sin Affects Our Relationship With God

Sin can gravely affect our relationship with God. When the people of Israel sinned against Him, He was angry against even their prayers (Psalm 80:4). They felt a deep sense of sorrow as if God had “fed them with the bread of tears” (Psalm 80:5). The people went into poverty and did not have enough to eat. He also removed His hand of protection from Israel (Psalm 80:12-13). Israel was likened to a big grape vine that was brought out of Egypt and planted in a great land. God removed the fences that protected the vine. The fruits were now being plucked by others and consumed by wild animals. Israel became vulnerable to her enemies. Sin can cause God to remove His blessings from us.

Getting Down To Praying For Restoration

What we need is restoration from God. How can one get down to praying for restoration?

1. Praying For God To Return

“Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts;
Look down from heaven and see,
And visit this vine.” 
Psalm 80:14

The first thing the people of Israel needed to pray for was for God to look upon them again. They needed to seek forgiveness from God. They pleaded with God to look down from Heaven and to visit His people once more. When we have sinned against the Lord, He would hide His face. We need to plead with God to return and to look upon us again.

2. Praying For God To Revive

“Then we will not turn back from You;
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.” 
Psalm 80:18

The Psalmist prayed that God would revive the hearts of His people. Restoration is about God reviving and strengthening our hearts. We should determine not to go away from the Lord again. We would then call upon the Lord’s name. Would you seek for this revival?

3. Praying Repeatedly Until Restoration Comes

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved!” 
Psalm 80:19 (c.f. Psalm 80:3, 7)

We should also pray repeatedly until restoration comes. Sometimes, praying once or twice is not enough. We need to pray again and again until restoration comes … until the Lord’s face shines upon us. Let’s keep praying until we are strong again. Let’s keep praying until the Lord blesses us again. Let’s pray till there is full restoration from God.

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