There is nothing more heartbreaking to godly parents than to see our sons and daughters reject the truth and pursue a destructive lifestyle. We yearn for their presence, the joy of fellowship, the bond of unity, the stability of restored peace. And until our wayward child returns, we hope and wait, longing for their homecoming.

So does God, our Creator and Father.

Jesus Christ gives us insight into the heart of God toward His wayward children by telling the story of the prodigal son, recorded in Luke 15:11-32. In this parable, the younger son rejects his father's love and pursues riotous living in the world. He eventually squanders his inheritance funding his vain pursuits. He eventually finds himself in the company of pigs-tending them and even longing to eat their food!

Wasting away in the squalor of the world, the younger son comes to his senses. He remembers the love and joy of his father's home-the love he spurned. He realizes what a foolish thing he has done. He knows he will surely die if he remains in his pigsty. He repents and resolves to return to his father.

On his return, his father rushes to receive and embrace him. The prodigal confesses his sin and, being ashamed, asks only to be considered a servant. The father will hear none of it. He is so excited his son has returned that he announces a feast and a celebration, for his son was lost and now is found; he was dead and is alive again.

The lesson of this parable is that God's heart yearns for His beloved to return. The problem is not with God but with the unrepentant heart. When one comes to the end of himself, it's time to turn to God and begin again.

The parable illustrates a lesson that is taught throughout the Old Testament and summarized in Psalm 85, Israel's heart cry from the pigsty of captivity. This wonderful psalm gives us reasons to believe God for revival, as well as direction as we pray. (Psalm 85 inspired the famous nineteenthcentury hymn written by William Mackay entitled "Revive Us Again.")

Reasons to Pray with Faith

Read Psalm 85. It will help you appreciate the following observations:

1. Revival is God's gracious gift (vv. 1-3, 5-6).

The psalmist refers exclusively to the actions of God when recalling past revival: God showed favor, restored, forgave, covered, set aside, turned. The Israelites acted also, in repentance, in returning with contrite hearts, and in vows of obedience; but man cannot revive himself.

Man can humble himself and plead for God to forgive, but only God can revive the soul and restore broken fellowship. And since the wages of sin is death (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23), restoration and revival from God is always an act of grace and mercy.

2. Revival is evidence of God's faithfulness and covenant loyalty (vv. 1-3, 7-8).
The psalmist draws from the Mosaic Covenant, which God made with Israel. (Deuteronomy 30:1-3 uses the same concepts and phrases, e.g. "restore your fortunes," as are found here.) God made a promise in the covenant to restore His people when they returned to Him and obeyed Him with all their heart. God's gracious act of revival is also motivated by His loyalty to His covenant.

3. Revival is based on God's Word (vv. 7-8).
This concept flows from God's faithfulness to His Word. Therefore, we should read and know God's Word. Psalm 81 emphasizes listen, learn, live, and God will satisfy you with "honey from the rock" (v. 16).

How We Should Pray

1. Ask God (vv. 4-7). James 4:2 says, "You do not have, because you do not ask God." Do you want to be revived and restored by God? Ask God to revive you today, as He has done for His people in the past.

2. Desire God (v. 6). Not only does a son or daughter miss the joy of interacting and fellowshipping with their father, but the father also misses the relationship with his children. Let God know that you wish to have the fullness of life together with Him restored.

3. Be honest (vv. 8-9). These verses deal with the promises of faithfulness the repentant soul offers to God. Mean it when you say, "I will listen," "I will not return to folly," "I will fear God and obey His Word," and, "I desire revival with all my heart."

4. Rid yourself of idols (v. 9). Revival is not a works/self- help issue; it is a heart/faith issue. Who sits on the throne of your heart? Deuteronomy 30:11-15 presents the choice between life and death, the choice between the true God and the man-made gods. Salvation is always within reach, and it begins with the choice to believe God and call on His name (cf. Romans 10).

5. Focus on Jesus Christ (vv. 10, 13). Jesus Christ is God's provision for revival in our hearts and in our land. It is at the cross that God's righteousness and His peace "kiss" (v. 10). Jesus alone expresses and accomplishes the righteousness of God.

Personal Precedes National

Finally, Psalm 85 teaches us that revival begins with personal deliverance, but its goal is national redemption (vv. 9-13). We want the glory of God to dispel the darkness and shine throughout our land. Psalm 85 consistently refers to revival as a national phenomenon. The despair and pain of life apart from God has been felt by all; thus all need the transforming power of God's revival.

In Romans 10:6-13, Paul also refers to Deuteronomy 30:11-15 and applies the message of revival to the whole world, including the Gentile nations. It seems that God has worldwide revival in mind. But revival starts among His people.

Revival causes God's people to catch His vision, exude His love, and preach to the lost and dying world. In revival, the graces of eternal life will embrace and fill the land—loving kindness, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. The fruit of revival is a harvest of goodness and righteousness (James 3:17-18).

God yearns for His wayward children to repent and return home so they can be restored and enter fullness of life and joy with Him. Oh, God, revive us again!

Dr. Richard Fisher has served as a professor and regional director with Moody Bible Institute.