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Intention

To cry out to the God of revival with desperation and deep yearning for ourselves, our churches, cities and nation.

Scripture

“Will you not revive us again so that your people may rejoice in you?

“Show us your faithful love, Lord, and give us your salvation.

“I will listen to what God will say; surely the Lord will declare peace to his people, his faithful ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways.

“His salvation is very near to those who fear him, so that glory may dwell in our land.”

– Psalm 85:6–9

Reflection

Australia needs revival. The call for a revival is a summons to spiritual awakening. It is a desire for God’s children to become more alive in their faith, for those who have backslidden to return, and for new people to come to Christ.

This awakening must be deep and wide, bringing spiritual renewal not just to the individual, but also bringing transformation to entire churches, cities and ultimately the whole nation.

Revival releases the power of the Holy Spirit. It involves an increase in the presence of God’s glory and his kingdom. This in turn leads to transformation, as we, “looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord… are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

But how can we pursue revival?

First, revival starts with a deep yearning and requires desperate prayer. It’s not a casual request, but a passionate cry for God to move in ways that are often unexpected, yet deeply transformative.

God tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if “my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” This instruction was given at the launch of the new national altar in Jerusalem. We need to establish a regular and consistent ‘altar’ of prayer – a personal/family altar, as well as church, city and national ones (where we pray for national issues (1 Kings 18)).

When we ‘cry out to the Lord’, we are earnestly and passionately praying to God for an awakening and renewal to come upon individuals, churches and society. Hannah provides a beautiful example of this kind of desperate prayer. We are told she “prayed to the Lord [at the national altar at Shiloh] and wept with many tears”, pleading with God for a son (1 Samuel 1:10–11). And God answered her prayer.

Second, we must trust in God’s unfailing love. The cry is confident because it is based in God’s unbreakable love for his Church and his desire to bring glory to himself. As Isaiah 54:8 reassures us, “‘I will have compassion on you with everlasting love,’ says the Lord your Redeemer.” The prayer for revival is not founded in the praying person’s merit.

Third, we must focus on God’s power. The cry to the Lord for revival is a desire to see his mighty power displayed. We seek a demonstration of his supernatural strength, so that all the glory belongs to him. As Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit’, says the Lord of Armies.”

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Prayer

God of revival, we pray for an increase of your glory in our lives. As Moses beheld your glory so that his face shone, may we be a people daily beholding your glory and being transformed into Christ’s image from glory to glory (Exodus 34:29–35; 2 Corinthians 3:12–18).

Let our prayer life and hunger for your word increase in our lives (Matthew 5:6). May we earnestly desire “the pure milk” and “solid food” of the word so we may grow up into maturity (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:14), being people filled with wisdom, singing and gratitude in everything we do (Colossians 3:16–17).

Jesus, you said that rivers of living water shall flow out of the belly (John 7:38). Let the rivers of everlasting life overflow in us, giving us boldness and courage to testify about you with people we meet this week (Acts 4:31).

In Jesus’ powerful name, amen.

Author Bio

Pastor Jonathan Mok is the Senior Minister of International City Church, Brisbane. He is passionate about equipping and empowering people to go and make disciples of all nations. His heart is to see the Church become a house of prayer for all nations and raise up strategic regional and national prayer altars. He holds a MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Prayer Points for October 2025

1. God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
2. All churches in Australia to grow in Christlikeness and win people to Christ. Acts 6:7
3. Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
4. Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

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