Psalm 85

“Revival is God sovereignly reviving spiritual life in His people, leading to widespread awakening and lasting fruit.” - Ian Murray

¹ Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. ² You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.  ³ You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. ⁴ Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! ⁵ Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? ⁶ Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? ⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. ⁸ Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. ¹⁰ Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. ¹¹ Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. ¹² Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. ¹³ Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. (Psalm 85)

How should we pray for revival?

I. Remember God’s Past Grace (v1-3).

II. Petitions God for Present Grace (v4-7).

III. Be Confident in God’s Future Grace (v8-13

I. Remember God’s Past Grace

¹ Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. ² You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.  ³ You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ² Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (Revelation 3:1-3)

II. Petition God for Present Grace

⁴ Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! ⁵ Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? ⁶ Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? ⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.

⁶ Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

“Revival is marked by a restored awareness of God’s holiness and majesty, producing humility, seriousness, and joyful obedience rather than mere emotional excitement.” - Ian Murray

III. Be Confident in God’s Future Grace

⁸ Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

¹⁰ Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. ¹¹ Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

¹² Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. ¹³ Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.