AKABA

In 1931, a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place in Rwanda. Believers in several nations prayed for God to transform Rwandan lives. Consequently, men and women became deeply convicted of their wrongdoing and in true repentance humbled themselves confessing their sins. Those who had wronged others apologized and made restitution. At the center of Rwandan revival, new believers were called Abaka, which meant “those on fire.” As A.C. Stanley Smith wrote in his book, Road to Revival, joy constantly reflected in the faces of these believers and everywhere they went they modeled powerful testimony.

Wherever the Holy Spirit transforms lives there is the unmistakable face marking of joy. An altered life is like a newly commissioned beacon. But a lit match is not the same as a roaring forest fire. When peace is elusive, famine common, water polluted, debt ascendant and emptiness a bestseller one or two new believers hardly garners the attention of the lost. This is a great time for us to pray for Abaka—a large harvesting of new believers!

Imagine what would happen if your city became so convicted of sin that instantaneously people fell on their knees and cried out to God for forgiveness! Can the Holy Spirit charge dead cells of entire neighborhoods with the roaring love of Jesus if they will cry out for the Savior? I believe He can and I suspect you do as well.

Meditation

2 Chronicles 7:13,14—If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people, and My people who are called by 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.

Sin is a sure determinant in keeping God from awesomely working through His children to bring revival. If we are feeling the effects of divine punishment, we ought to understand that we have opportunity to apply a scriptural prescription found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This inspired word from heaven tells us how to gain God’s favor which is a huge precursor to revival. First, we who are called by God’s name, must humble ourselves. Our pride is the sure symptom of spiritual dystrophy. Second, we must pray and seek God’s face. This is not a one-time formulaic prayer but rather a persevering heart cry! Alongside prayer comes our third step, we must turn from our wicked ways. God never flowers what sin waters. A historical study of revivals shows that when these conditions are present, God often brings Akaba.

Inspiration

If God’s people would only accept their sacred role as the army of God, if they would call one another to God’s priority of prayer, if they would join one another in militant, Spirit-guided, Spirit-anointed intercession, we could see Satan defeated and revival visitations descend from God. We could see the greatest harvest of souls we have ever known.—Wesley L. Duewel in Touch the World through Prayer