Summer 2016 Newsletter
O
ver the last several years (and even more so in recent
I don’t think most Christian women realize the incredible influence
months!), my heart has become increasingly heavy as I see the rapid
they have—in our culture and in their churches, homes, and
spread of evil in our world and as I see our own beloved nation
communities.
systematically stand against the Word of God, the gospel of Christ, and the well-being of His people.
What could be more vital for such a time as this, than for women to get on their knees—together—to cry out to the King of the universe
God has placed a burden on my heart to call at least 100,000 women
. . . repenting, pleading with Him to have mercy and to intervene in
to come together on Friday evening, September 23, in a
our world . . . praying for His kingdom to come and His will to be
nationwide prayer gathering for women that we’re calling
done on earth as it is in heaven.
Cry Out! This event will be simulcast from the True Woman ’16 Conference in Indianapolis.
Would you join me in crying out to Him? And would you ask the Lord if He might want you to host a Cry Out! prayer gathering
Just imagine . . . women gathering in thousands of locations—in
in your church, community, or home? (See page two for more
homes, schools, churches, and other venues . . . in groups of various
information about how to sign up your own group!)
sizes, whether twenty, 200, or 2,000—for a great, united concert of prayer. Bob Bakke, Kay Arthur, Joni Tada, Stephen Kendrick, and many others will be helping to lead this three-hour, simulcast event,
Crying out with you,
which we are offering to groups of any size at no charge.
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
PS: In 1857, Manhattan businessman Jeremiah Lanphier posted notice of a prayer meeting to take place at noon on September 23. Only six people showed up for that prayer meeting. But they continued meeting weekly. Within a short period of time, upward of 10,000 people were crowding the churches of New York City for prayer every day at noon. Some estimate that one million people came to faith in Christ as a result of what became known as the great Prayer Revival of 1857–58. In God’s providence, this year thousands of women will be coming together to pray on September 23. Lord, do it again, is our prayer!
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears (Ps. 34:17).
Hope isn’t as distant as it feels. ONE EVENING . . . ONE HEART . . . ONE CRY! SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 6 – 9 P.M. CT / PT 7 – 10 P.M. ET / MT Join women in thousands of locations on September 23 for the Cry Out! Simulcast. Together we’ll cry out to God to do in us and in our nation what no man-made effort can accomplish.
REGISTER A GROUP TODAY! VISIT CRYOUT16.COM FOR: Information on how to sign up a group in your own location. Resources to prepare your hearts to seek the Lord with all our might. Materials for you to help spread the word. Plus more! 2 ReviveOurHearts.com
E VE NT L EADERS
NANCY DeMOSS WOLGEMUTH
DR. BOB BAKKE
JOSH DAVIS
PART IC IPANT S
JONI EARECKSON TADA
STEPHEN KENDRICK
DANNAH GRESH
JANET PARSHALL
JANI ORTLUND
KAY ARTHUR
TONY EVANS
MARY KASSIAN
MARLAE GRITTER
TRILLIA NEWBELL
BLAIR LINNE
“When God wants to shake
“Prayer lays hold of
“If Christians would
the nations and wake them
God’s plan and becomes
pray as Jesus instructed
up and draw them to His
the link between His will
us, it would change our
side, He will first motivate
and its accomplishment
lives—and the course
His people to pray.”
on earth.”
of history.”
—JONI EARECKSON TADA
—ELISABETH ELLIOT
—SHIRLEY DOBSON
Sparked by a Tiny Prayer Meeting by Mindy Kroesche
4 ReviveOurHearts.com
M
ore than
150 years ago, God moved in an extraor-
dinary way in our nation.
Historians have called
A Fire Ignited
“The Great Prayer Revival.” This revival spread through-
As word spread across the country, the fire of this revival
out the nation as it swelled church attendance , changed
spread as well. Prayer meetings sprang up in Boston, Philadelphia,
people’s hearts and behaviors, and inspired new missionary
Chicago, and other locations. In about eighteen months, it’s
endeavors.
estimated that a million people were converted to faith in
it
pray.
But
mostly the revival inspired
God’s
people to
And it all started through a tiny prayer meeting.
Christ. In many cities, churches had to hold their meetings outside because there were too many people to fit in-
Knocking on Heaven’s Doors
side the building. The issue of slavery was also impacted. Many Christians began
Jeremiah Lanphier was a businessman and lay missionary for
to support the anti-slavery movement who had not formerly done
the North Dutch Reform Church on Fulton Street in New York City,
so. The revival even spread to slaves in the South, the majority of
which was losing members. His job was to knock on doors and in-
whom were strongly God-reliant because they had nothing to lean
vite people to church. But after a few months of knocking on
on but God.
earthly, resistant doors, he decided to start knocking on heaven’s doors instead.
Historians describe the next sixty years as an evangelical social awakening where Protestant churches began to engage in mercy
So Jeremiah initiated a prayer meeting in lower Manhattan at
ministries. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Christian Mis-
noon for businessmen to come and pray during their lunchtime.
sionary Alliance, and the Bowery Mission participated in a great
Even though he handed out thousands of flyers, only six people at-
deal of street ministry. And during that same time period, a large
tended that first meeting on September 23, 1857. The next week,
number of Americans chose to serve God in foreign missions.
twenty people came. The week after that, a few more.
God poured out His Spirit in a great way throughout
And then the failure of a major New York bank, the fall of grain
the United States—and it all started with one man’s bur-
prices, widespread railroad failures, and several other economic
den for the spiritual condition of the people of his city.
declines lead to the Financial Panic of 1857. All of a sudden the
Jeremiah Lanphier had no way of knowing how his small prayer
prosperous United States was facing an intense depression. Previ-
meeting would impact millions around the world for years to come.
ously, most people hadn’t felt a great need for God or prayer. But now they were turning to God in the midst of this disaster. They had lost their money; they had lost their jobs. They knew they needed to pray.
Our Opportunity Today Now, 159 years later on the exact same day as that first
The Fulton Street prayer meetings started happening on a daily
prayer meeting on Fulton Street, we have the opportunity
basis, and soon every auditorium in New York City was being used
as women to gather together and cry out to the Lord. On
every day at noon for prayer. Before long those meetings exceeded
September 23, Revive Our Hearts is hosting Cry Out! A Nation-
an hour prayer meeting at noon. Soon churches were crowded with
wide Prayer Event for Women. Through this simulcast, we’re call-
thousands of people praying from early in the morning until late at
ing for 100,000 or more women to come together, in thousands of
night—through all hours of the day! According to one account, the
locations, to cry out to the Lord and ask Him to bring about radical
famous newspaper editor Horace Greeley set out to see for himself
change in our hearts, our churches, and our world.
how many people were actually praying at noon. He drove from one meeting to another . . . and lost count after 10,000 people. Businessmen, working women, members of the free AfricanAmerican community, and many others were drawn together to
Just like Jeremiah Lanphier, we have no way of knowing how God will use our prayers. But we can be sure that the prayers we sow as God’s people today will not be in vain and that God does hear and will answer mightily in His way and in His time.
pray—people who normally would not sit next to one another in a pew. They met not just to get their financial troubles solved but because the Holy Spirit was compelling them to pray.
Visit CryOut16.com for more information on
They wanted and needed the reviving of the Spirit of God
how to participate in the Cry Out! Simulcast.
in their lives and in their communities.
Summer 2016 5
WHY TRUE WOMAN ’16? The serious problems that plague our world won’t be solved through human effort or political strategies. Our only hope is for God to intervene. Throughout dark times in history, He has called women to their knees, and He has worked through their prayers. We’re believing God for a historic gathering of women to join together and Cry Out! for such a time as this. Will you join us?
SEPTEMBER 22–24, 2016 INDIANAPOLIS
REGISTER ONLINE NOW! Regular price ends 9/1.
TRUEWOMAN16.COM
PRE-CONFERENCE TRACKS YELLOW TRACK
STORIES OF HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES
PURPLE TRACK
ENGAGING THE CULTURE WITH THE GOSPEL
ORANGE TRACK
SPEAKERS
NANCY DeMOSS WOLGEMUTH
RUSSELL MOORE
IGNITING A PASSION TO PRAY
MARY KASSIAN
GREEN TRACK
WOMAN TO WOMAN: The Power of Women’s Friendships and Spiritual Mothering
Bob Bakke
Russell Moore Lindsay Swartz Trillia Newbell
Marlae Gritter Lee Nienhuis
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth Carolyn McCulley Dannah Gresh Holly Elliff Kimberly Wagner
JANET PARSHALL
BOB LEPINE
STEPHEN KENDRICK
KEITH AND KRISTYN GETTY WORSHIP LEADERS
DR. BOB BAKKE
RED TRACK
Mary Kassian
Tall Girls Present
Kristen Clark
TRUE WOMANHOOD FOR NEWBIES
Bethany Baird
BLAIR LINNE Spoken Word Artist
BLUE TRACK*
TU FEMINIDAD A LA LUZ DEL EVANGELIO (Your Womanhood in Light of the Gospel)
Patricia De SaladÍn Laura Gonzalez De Chavez Margarita Camargo De Hinojosa Elba Ordeix De Reyes
* This track is completely in Spanish.
How to Pray for the Upcomi by David Butts
I
Praying for Our Nation, the n every election cycle,
American Christians have amaz-
The following points cover seven major
ing opportunities sandwiched between grave dangers.
We are privileged to be part of a nation of people who have the responsibility to choose their leaders.
However,
when
we begin to put our hope in leaders rather than in the
Lord,
we open ourselves up to grave danger.
A balanced and biblical approach allows us to fully participate in the electoral process without falling into improperly placed trust.
1. Our Nation and the Issues It Faces • Pray for truth to become valued again in American society (John 8:32). • Pray that our nation will increasingly see that God is our only refuge in the midst of the troubles of this world
Inviting God into the Process In Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 2:1–4, one of the major thrusts is praying for those in authority. According to Paul’s reasoning, we
(Ps. 46:1). • Ask the Lord to pour out a spirit of repentance, that we might become a nation committed to following His ways (Jer. 29:13).
want good government that allows us to live “peaceful and quiet lives”—ultimately freeing us to evangelize those who are lost. Paul would have been amazed that Christians could someday actually take part in selecting those leaders. I believe he would have been even more amazed (and appalled) that many of those Christians didn’t even bother to get involved in selecting those leaders. Praying for the electoral process is the first step in seeing the fulfillment of what Paul is writing about. In prayer, we invite the Lord into the process of electing those leaders who will ultimately allow us to lead “peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holi-
2. The Election Process • Pray for wisdom for voters and a safe and fair election (Prov. 3:21–23). • Ask the Lord to remove those who might try to unjustly and illegally change the outcome of the voting (Isa. 28:17). • Pray for a huge turnout of voters who use wisdom in their decisions (Prov. 4:5–6).
ness” (v. 2). So why pray for the elections? There are a number of compelling reasons: The Bible commands us to pray for those in leadership, which would include those who are vying to become leaders. Godly leaders can help slow the erosion of religious liberties, providing an increased window of opportunity for the Church to pray and evangelize. The selection of leaders who understand and lead according to God’s righteous standards can bring great blessing to a nation
3. Candidates and Leaders • Pray for the salvation of those who are in leadership of our nation. Ask the Lord to remove all envy and selfish ambition (James 3:16). • Pray that candidates will take brave stands for righteousness (Isa. 7:9). • Pray that each candidate will focus on the issues and not on personal attacks on other candidates (Gal. 5:15).
(Prov. 14:34).
4. The Church • Pray for a spirit of repentance to fall upon the Church in America that would cause believers to turn back to God and seek Him (Ps. 53:2).
8 ReviveOurHearts.com
ing Election
e Elections, and the Church
r areas that relate to our national elections.
Flashpoints for Prayer Listed below are areas of controversy, disagreement, and division in our nation. I believe we must pray with discernment and strength over at least these seven areas:
• Pray for a spirit of courage to rise up within the Church, a commitment to enduring whatever it takes to see the
• The life of the unborn.
fulfillment of God’s purposes (1 Cor. 16:13).
• The nature of marriage and family.
• Ask the Lord to awaken the Church to the temporary nature of the nations and to the eternal nature of the reign of God (Ps. 37:20).
• Religious freedom. • The U.S. relationship with Israel. • The growing threat of terrorism and the fear and mistrust
5. Media • Pray for truth to be an established standard in our news media (Ps. 45:4).
it brings. • Racism and its growing divisiveness. • The idolatry of tolerance—and the resulting intolerance for those who disagree with prevailing ideas.
• Pray that media bias will be replaced by fairness (Ps. 58:1). • Ask that Christianity will receive fair coverage (Prov. 22:20–21).
Amen Is Not the End Prayer rarely stops after the “amen.” When we passionately cry out to God over any issue, we should also find ourselves praying,
6. Spiritual Warfare • Ask for great awareness and discernment as we pray over the election (Eph. 5:15–17). • Pray for physical protection for all candidates and their families (Ps. 20:1). • Beseech the Lord for a strong hedge of protection around the nation itself (Ps. 33:22).
“and Lord, if there is any way You can use me to be an answer to this prayer, here I am.” When we pray for an election, simple honesty will then require us to follow up our prayer by actually voting. What about broadening the prayer effort? Invite those with similar passion to join you each week for a focused prayer meeting that asks God to intervene in our electoral process. In a country with nearly 350 million people, it is very easy to feel as though one person is incapable of making a difference. That is false. As we pray—even as one solitary person—we are teaming
7. Revival • Pray for another Great Awakening to sweep the
up with the Creator of the universe to change situations. The only way that positive change is not possible is when Christians refuse to pray!
nation as the Lord’s people learn to humble themselves (Isa. 66:2). • Ask the Lord to bring revival to the Church in America (Isa. 64:1–4). • Pray for the preachers of America to fearlessly proclaim
For many more specific ways to pray, read the entire article at ReviveOurHearts.com. Or order either the booklet or book at PrayerShop.org.
the Word of God regarding sin and God’s love (Rom. 5:8). Adapted from With One Cry by David Butts (PrayerShop Publishing (c) 2016). Used by permission. Summer 2016 9
Sparked H ow God
a Revive Our Hearts Fire h c r u h C d in a Marylan by Marjorie Impraim
A to
“my
s a relatively newly married woman with a new baby on the way ,
I
turned the radio on one day to listen
mom in the faith,”
Elisabeth Elliot,
on her program
Gateway To Joy. I soon realized something was different. There was a fiery, young woman on the radio sharing about her vision and passion for women to live in freedom and joy in the Lord in the sphere of their homes and churches. I listened with excitement. Other girls from church were also tuning in, and we would get together and share how God’s Word was doing surgery
Over the years our small church has seen phenomenal growth in the lives and hearts of many young women as we have shared the truths of God’s Word and invited women to listen to Nancy and the many other godly women she co-labors with. Our church has used these resources to raise up a network of godly moms, sisters, and wives. Because most in our church were first generation Christians (and many of us grew up in the inner city), these were new truths to us. This tier of godly women are now discipling new Christian women in the same way.
in our hearts. That was the beginning of a “Revive Our
We know it is a marvelous work of the Lord as the fruit is
Hearts fire” starting at our church, Calvary Chapel Breath of
remaining. Only His Word can heal (Ps. 107:20). Thank you Nancy
Life in Maryland.
and everyone at Revive Our Hearts for allowing God to use you!
Before long we were building our new women’s ministry using resources like Seeking Him, the “How’s Your Love Life” series, Biblical Portrait of Womanhood, and many others. We did a book club at Border’s bookstore using Lies Women
Marjorie Impraim has been joyfully married
Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free!, and there was stand-
to Eric, an Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel
ing room only as we ran out of chairs. Even men who were passing
Breath of Life Church in Maryland, for sixteen
by stopped in and stayed for the book discussion! Many of us, years
years. They have five lively children.
later, boarded a plane together to attend the very first True Woman Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois.
10 ReviveOurHearts.com
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
For Fifteen Years
2007
of Fruitful Ministry
2008
E
2009 ver since that first broadcast on
2001, R evive O ur H earts
S eptember 3,
has had the privilege of
providing biblical truth for women like
Marjorie. Fifteen
2010
years and many broadcasts , conferences , and blog posts later, our purpose remains the same: to help women thrive in
Christ by sharing with them the message of heart revival
and biblical womanhood.
2011
As we celebrate fifteen years of gospel-focused ministry, we want to give thanks for the grace and faithfulness of our God who has sustained us through these years. We also want to express our gratitude for the faithful prayers, support, and encouragement of so
2012
many dear friends and ministry partners like you. Will you join us in praising our God together for what He has done? As we look to this next season of ministry, we echo this prayer that Nancy penned on the eve of the official launch of Revive Our
2013
Hearts:
O Lord, be pleased to multiply the seeds we have sown and produce a great harvest of revival
2014
and righteousness in the lives of women. How I pray for a movement of Your Spirit that cannot be explained in terms of human effort. Turn Your face toward us, cause it to shine upon us, and turn the hearts of women toward Yourself. May
2015
You be magnified through this ministry."
2016
p Sha ed The Woman Who
I
My Life
by Penny Nelson Freeman
was seventeen when
I first encountered Carolyn.
Although we had just met, she managed to make me feel like the most important guest she had seen in months.
sions. When necessary, she told me carefully and lovingly where and why I was wrong. My husband and I began to think of going to seminary with the
That afternoon she asked me questions and responded as if I
goal of ministering together. I had sensed a burning desire to listen
were full of wisdom. I was shocked to learn an adult cared to find
to others with my heart, and Carolyn suggested I pursue graduate
out what a teenager knew. I left her house realizing I had
work in counseling. Her love for me had produced a woman eager
opinions, and someone cared to hear them. I had no idea
to serve others.
the role this lady would play in my life.
Although Carolyn and I are now separated by distance, and
Over six years later, when I was newly married and lonely in an unfamiliar city, God brought our lives together again.
my life is full of parenting, counseling, housekeeping, and speaking to women, we maintain our relationship by phone calls and visits.
Our relationship grew as a result of Carolyn’s ordinary skills: talking to me after church, calling to see how I was adjusting to
The fruit of my life continues to grow as a direct result of God’s grace and a woman committed to loving me well.
married life, and encouraging me to attend specific functions at our church. Simply put, I felt my presence mattered to her. Every Friday we had lunch, and I spent many days sitting at her
What’s your story? Perhaps you have your own
counter while she prepared dinner or cleaned up the mess a family
“Carolyn” to thank for her influence on your life.
of six leaves behind. She taught me budgeting, how to present a
Or maybe there’s a younger woman who needs you to be her
tuna sandwich as if it were gourmet cuisine, and how to maintain
“Carolyn.” Will you reach out to her?
a calm demeanor while the phone rang and someone unexpectedly pulled into the driveway. I saw her at her best and sometimes as her edges unraveled.
This story is adapted from Spiritual Mothering by Susan
She was no superwoman, just a godly woman, ever ready to admit
Hunt, © 2016, pp. 209–210. Used by permission of Crossway, a
weakness and sin. She allowed me to see her life and taught me to
publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187,
enjoy the benefits of being forgiven by God.
www.crossway.org. To read other inspiring stories and insightful
On occasions, she would listen to my inexperienced thinking with loving ears and allow me to see the folly of my own conclu-
tips on spiritual mothering, request Susan’s book on the enclosed reply card.
Looking for bite-sized, daily encouragement right where you are? Follow us on:
Revive Our Hearts is an outreach of Life Action Ministries PO Box 2000 • Niles, MI 49120 • ReviveOurHearts.com • 800.569.5959
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Copyright © 2001, Crossway Bibles, esv.org. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Editorial: Paula Marsteller, Mindy Kroesche, Leanna Shepard, Samantha Nieves, Stacey Battenburg Art Direction: Benjamin Hannah Design: Brittany Wong Photographers: Katie Bollinger Kristina Cowan, Hannah Abad, Gratisography, KaboomPics, Death to Stock, Pexels