19 comments

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

A Report of God's Mercy

Posted on 04.12.11 by Nancy Leigh DeMoss | Twitter: @NancyDeMoss
Topics: Impacting your world, Relationship with God

A few weeks ago, we posted a blog by Pastor Bill Elliff (Holly’s husband), in which he expressed his intense longing to see a true visitation of God’s Spirit in revival “before I die.” That post resonated deeply with me, as I have carried the burden Bill described on my own heart, since I was a young girl. It is a burden that has been at the heart of this ministry since its inception (hence our name, “Revive Our Hearts”). 

A week ago Sunday, I began hearing reports that God was moving in an unusual way at the church Bill pastors in Little Rock, AR. Our team and I have been following those reports over the past week. After hearing of the continuing work of the Spirit in yesterday’s services, I asked Bill if he would write a summary of what has taken place thus far. I felt it would be an encouragement to our True Woman blog readers: 

For the last fifteen years, a large group of pastors in Central Arkansas have been praying for revival. Each year we have retreated for a three-day Prayer Summit. This year it was unusually intense. Also this year, several churches have begun to have monthly prayer meetings and we have met as one church in the city three times for quarterly prayer meetings for revival and spiritual awakening.

On Sunday, April 3, 2011, God’s presence was unusually intense at our church (The Summit Church in North Little Rock). As I was preaching on quenching the Holy Spirit, I could not finish my message. God had called people to not despise (bring to nothing by their lack of response) what God was saying. A man stood up and cried out, “We must do this right now!”

We entered into a time of prayer that extended to three hours of intense confession, brokenness, and surrender. A C-130 pilot admitted he’d never been baptized and took off his shoes running to the baptistery. Four more people followed suit.

We had a regularly scheduled First Monday prayer meeting the next night, which usually is attended by 50-70 people since it’s beginning in January. More than 200 people arrived and it turned into 3½ hours of intense reviving activity. We decided to meet the next night—275 people came with increased obedience and interceding intensity. The next night 350 people. For five continuous nights the people have gathered for three to four hours of incredible movement.  

God called us into intense travail for the churches of our city that God would come and it would not be something merely at The Summit, but across Central Arkansas. We are hearing reports of God’s activity in several places. Last Sunday, one church had eighteen spontaneous baptisms in their service, which has never happened before.

We decided not to have a scheduled prayer meeting on Saturday night, but several came anyway to pray over the Sunday meetings. Sunday came and the 9:00 a.m. service “meshed” into the 11:00 a.m. service as the crowd grew. The people wept and prayed and responded, seeking not to quench God’s Spirit but to do exactly what God was telling them, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

At this point thirty-eight people have come SPONTANEOUSLY in the services for baptism. Our Jacksonville (AR) multi-site campus experienced a similar move on Sunday as it moved into a three hour and forty minute bath of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace.

The Lord has been helping us to see today and frame what He has been doing in our midst progressively this week:

1.     He is awakening us to listen and instantly obey (1 Thess. 5:19-21)
2.     He is purifying His body (1 Thess 5:21)
3.     He is manifesting His presence (Isaiah 12:6)
4.     He is giving us His heart (Joel 2:17)
5.     He is calling us to intercede (1 Chron. 7:14-16) and His “ear is attentive to our cry”
6.     He is saving lives! (Isaiah 12:2-3)
7.     He is making His deeds known among the people (Isa. 12:4)
8.     He is making His Name famous in the land! (Isa. 12:5)

We are continuing Monday night. We do not want to extend services one moment past God’s leading (which would also quench the Spirit), but it seems the train has left the station. Our people are “gossiping” the good news to everyone they see . . . college students sharing downtown until 4 a.m., coming home to make sandwiches to feed and minister to others . . . and on and on. Too many stories to tell.

Please pray that God would be merciful to us and graciously continue His work among us!

As you can see, there is no indication that God is finished yet with the work He has begun in this church. Please pray that this visitation will continue and spread to other churches throughout central Arkansas, according to His will. And pray that God will be pleased to pour out His Spirit in genuine revival in your church and beyond, in the days ahead. 

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence (Isa. 64:1). 

Comments

  1. There is such a need for revival in the Church, and it starts with "me." This is touching news. I've heard it said the world will never repent until the Church (God's people) does.
    Thanks for this report!
    posted by April
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 7:33 am
  2. Wow...Praise the Lord!!! It is so encouraging to hear this. May the Lord let it spread to every state in America. O God, we need you to move in our midst. In Jesus' name we pray...
    posted by Jodi C.
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 7:43 am
  3. Very encouraging to read! I pray for pastors nationwide to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit in their preaching. To not be worried about getting through their notes, but be concerned about what the Spirit is wanting to do!

    Thanks for sharing! It's uplifting and causes me to pray even more for revival in our area!!!
    www.emotionalpurity.blogspot.com
    posted by Heather Patenaude
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 7:58 am
  4. I hope it doesn't just stay in Arkansas, but keeps spreading!
    posted by Andrea
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:10 am
  5. Wow, I live in Eastern Arkansas, praying for it to spread here. I have been praying for revival for a long time now. It is good to hear of God's answers!
    posted by Donna
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:13 am
  6. Oh, God, may your Spirit descend on us here in Michigan and may it begin with me! We pray for a total surrender to the will and way of the Lord.
    posted by Brynda
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:22 am
  7. Great and magnificent is our God!! What a report!!
    posted by Jamie Rindt
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:23 am
  8. This reminds me of the book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and what wonderful things God will manifest if we just get real with Him. Wonderful news!
    posted by Cyndi Black
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:51 am
  9. This is encouraging and a blessing to
    me! Lord, please do Thy will in my life and my family as well! I only depend on Your mercies and graces alone!
    posted by Judith
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 9:24 am
  10. For His Kingdom and Glory would the Lord have His Holy people called out for His Name. 'For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose Name is Holy. I dwell in the high and holy place with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the heart of the contrite ones' (Isaiah 57:15) The Lord has called a small discipleship team together over many years within our local church to teach God's Word and to pray forRepentance,Fruitfulness, Holiness, Godliness and revival in the Church, in our church, and in our lives. This desire has never left us...May the Lord have His Holy Bride, cleansed by His Holy Word and sanctified by His Holy Spirit, presented to Himself without spot or wrinkle.(Ephesians 5L26&27) He is Worthy!
    posted by Suzy Mazur
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 9:44 am
  11. Lord, may this revival spirit moved to Texas, in my community, in my church, in MY HEART.
    posted by Linda Carter
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 12:16 pm
  12. California needs this ... my city needs this ... my church needs this... I need this.
    http://heartchoicestoday.blogspot.com
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 12:23 pm
  13. Yes Lord! Reading this account really blesses and encourages me.
    The other night I was talking with my ten year old daughter about the culture she is growing up in. She said, "Mama, what we need is another Great Awakening." We stopped right there, in the kitchen, and prayed.
    How I long to see repentance and revival. How my heart is grieved by the massive apathy I see all around me. What an encouragement this post is! To God be the glory!
    trainingheartsathome24.blogspot.com
    posted by Ruth Adams
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 3:18 pm
  14. Oh, the tears that spill from my eyes right this very minute. I have walked my pasture for weeks asking God, "Wilt thou revive us again?" How I praise Him for His presence in Arkansas. The godly prayers are succeeding in bringing that revival. Let's all pray for our churches that present the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It's all about Him and not us. We've got to get out of His way so He can do a mighty work in us and in our nation. Praise the Lord. To Him be the Glory for the Things He is doing right now. God bless you for sharing this good news!
    posted by Sharon Salter
    on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 5:01 pm
  15. After reading I went back to the very first words of the first paragrah to re-read 'for the past 15 years a large group of pastors...have been praying for revival' 15 years, looking, waiting, persevering, wondering! Wow, God has his own timing but He wants us to call to Him. Very encouraging!
    posted by Lisa
    on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 7:45 am
  16. Dear Nancy (ROH/TW),

    The folks I fellowship with have a regular prayer meeting tonight (after the bible study), I'll put in a request for prayer for this revival in Arkansas!

    Thank you SO much for sharing this awesome, JOYFUL news!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God, for the hope of an awakened America. :c) He is so merciful.

    Peace, love n' blessings,
    posted by Jenny
    on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 10:21 am
  17. Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
    Hallelujah! God is moving! Keep on seeking! Keep on praying! I would like to meet some of you at Conference in June. Pastor John Snyder
    posted by john snyder
    on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 5:14 pm
  18. Now, God is truly Alive. He had manifested once again His Presence in the Church of Arkansas. I would like to give thanks for all our brothers and sisters in Christ who with their ardent devotion as followers of our Good Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ have touched more lives...
    posted by Annabelle
    on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:08 pm
  19. I pray that God gives you the understanding of the Holy Ghost (not holy spirit ) that was promised when Jesus said to his disciples Ac 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
    Ac 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
    posted by Alphonso
    on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 5:29 pm

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