Pray & Revive
Jan 11, 2023By Nancy Lindgren
On January 2nd, a chilling scene played out on our televisions as millions were watching in shock and dismay. A football player by the name of Damar Hamlin was hit in the chest and went into cardiac arrest. The players and fans were stunned and many began to pray. They knew what to do because it was a matter of life and death. They knew Who to go to in this difficult circumstance. All of a sudden, there was freedom to pray out loud over the airwaves as ESPN analyst and former football player, Dan Orlovsky, spoke the powerful words, “I believe in prayer,” and without hesitation or fear began to pray for Damar.
As I was praying for Damar, it struck me that the two words God had given me for this year both personally and for the ministry of MORE Mentoring were being played out on that field.
My personal word for 2023: PRAY
My ministry word for 2023: REVIVE
Damar’s heart needed reviving. There were natural ways to help, such as CPR and the use of a defibrillator, but there was also something happening supernaturally as we united in prayer for this one man. We will never fully know what God was doing as we cried out to Him, but we believed He was the One to turn to in that crisis. As Damar continues his healing process, he will have quite a story to share.
There are so many hearts in our world today that need reviving. They need life breathed into them, to come alive, to be awakened, to be renewed, to spiritually live again.
Months ago, I wrote these words in my new book, Mentoring Made Real–The Power of Authentic Connection:
“What if the next great revival comes through one-on-one, prayer-focused mentoring? Can you see it? With such a desperation for connection and a tireless pursuit of truth among younger generations today who desire more in their lives, mentoring provides the perfect platform to spark a revival. I have friends who have prayed for revival for years and years. Could revival happen through one changed heart at a time? Absolutely!
As we, the mentors, surrender our desires and draw closer to Jesus, spending diligent time with Him on our own, we will begin to experience a refreshing in our own lives. The definition of refresh is to give new strength or energy to; reinvigorate; revive; breathe new life into. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? One of God’s promises heralds this truth: Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8).
Here’s another way of thinking about that verse: If we come near to someone who is full of God, then we will come near to God as well.
I need that refreshing and reviving in my own life and I’m guessing you do, too. Let’s begin to pray and see what God might do.
Revival will only happen with prayer as our focus. It brings the supernatural into the natural. Bring it Lord, bring it!
I will pray until I become prayer itself. Psalm 109:4 (TPT)
Won’t you revive us again so your people can rejoice in you? Psalm 85:5 (NLT)
January is National Mentoring Month. I urge you to step into somebody’s life, walk alongside them, love them, listen to them, encourage them, pray with them, and see what God might do. It could be a matter of life and death. If you need help in knowing how to start, please check out www.morementoring.org. We would love to equip you!
Nancy Lindgren is an author, speaker and the Founder of MORE Mentoring, whose mission is to inspire women to love and encourage others through prayer-focused mentoring. She and her husband, Mark, have midwestern roots, but now call Fairplay, Colorado home. They have four grown children and a well-worn welcome mat at their front door.
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