Revived & Refreshed

One word was in my spirit upon arising from slumber the other day. It was the word "revive". That one word was the direction we used to direct our time of intercession last night. As four ladies gathered together, the Holy Spirit spoke to us some great encouragement that is needed for each of us. May you be encouraged in your spirit through this impartation.

When I looked up the word "revive" in the Thesaurus, these are some of the words that followed: reanimate, refresh, bring back, reestablish, rally and to perk up. Going farther, I then looked up the word "refresh" which said, invigorate, stimulate, renew, recharge, re-create.

Our discussion began by recognizing that as intercessors, it is very important that we take time to get refreshed as well. Often prayer needs take time, warfare, fasting, resisting. There are seasons that you feel that you need to "press through". Sometimes our hearts are so filled with the desire to pray (often for others more than even ourselves) that we neglect the importance and benefits of rest. I am not saying that you need to stop praying - we are to pray without ceasing. But there is an aspect of prayer that speaks no words; it simply listens. It is when we stop doing the talking and get to the place where we hear what God wants to speak.

It is a time when we draw close to God and allow him to "minster to us". A time to be still and know that He is God. Think how many times throughout the day, weeks, months, even years that you spend ministering to other peoples needs and praying for their needs, or you spend ministering to God by pouring forth your adoration and praise. A challenging questions needs to be posed to every Christian: When is the last time you just sat and allowed God to minister to you? When is the last time you sat in His presence and said absolutely nothing and waited for him to speak comfort, truth, and refreshment to you?

Jesus set examples for us to follow on several occasions where he went off alone to pray. He needed to be with the Father to hear what the Father had to say and to be refreshed, to be comforted, and to even have reassurance as he asked the father to take the cup. Jesus was ministered to by the Father. We need to be ministered to as well.

Take time today to get off to a quite place with God and wait for him to minister refreshment back to your spirit, then arise and continue on. Taking time out for "you" to be ministered to will actually cause you to become stronger so that you can continue to run the race!