Bishop David invites you to join him for the last of his 40 daily Lent devotionals exploring Revival and the early chapters of Acts.
Day 40
Fewer than 10% of the population of Ireland are in a church of any denomination on any given Sunday. We need to pray for revival. Let’s each of us cry out to God for a significant move of the Holy Spirit.
Day 39
Acts 4:12 – There is only one way to God and only one truth. Jesus is the only source of salvation. Come to Christ today!
Day 38
Acts 9:10-22 – When a person is converted to Christ, they have a whole new relationship with God and God’s Church. Let’s be prepared to welcome new believers into our congregations.
Day 37
Acts 9:4-9 – To be converted is to come to know the person of Christ through experiencing his presence, hearing his voice, realising who Jesus is and surrendering to him.
Day 36
Acts 9:1-9 – Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. Saul was persecuting the church, but he had a personal encounter with Jesus. In seasons of revival, we see the sovereign grace of God heightened, and so we pray especially for the conversion of those who oppose God.
Day 35
Acts 8:36-39 – The Ethiopian believes and is immediately baptised. May we see a mighty move of God such that many adults come to faith and are baptised.
Day 34
Acts 8:26-39 – The importance of ‘the one’. Philip is guided by God to explain the gospel to just one person – the Ethiopian eunuch. Let’s be intentional about inviting people to church and getting the Bible into their hands.
Day 33
Acts 8:9-12 – Times of revival inevitably expose the works of darkness but Satan and all his demons are no match for Jesus who is Lord of all. In the account of Simon the Magician we see the absolute necessity of repentance.
Day 32
Acts 8:4-8 – Following the martyrdom of Stephen, Philip takes the gospel to Samaria, a region hostile to the Jews. But when the Holy Spirit moves, he breaks down barriers. May God stir us to take the gospel to all, without exception.
Day 31
Acts 6:8 and Acts 8:3 – Across our world and despite opposition down the centuries the gospel has been unstoppable. We pray today for the persecuted church.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 30
Acts 6:1-7 – Historically, social reforms have flowed from seasons of revival. In Acts 6 the Apostles commission seven deacons to take care of the widows and orphans while they continue to preach. This division of labour is followed by more breakthroughs as revival continues.
Day 29
Acts 5:34-42 – In praying for revival we must also pray for the strength to endure opposition and even persecution.
Day 28
Acts 5:17-33 – Hostility grows and behind it, a religious jealousy, but the Holy Spirit will move how and where he chooses. May God protect his church from calling good ‘bad’ because it doesn’t fit into our neat boxes.
Day 27
Acts 5:12-16 – We see regular signs and wonders, holy fear in the community, new believers added to the church, healings, deliverance, people coming from far and wide – an outpouring of God’s blessing. It cannot be worked up but it can be prayed down.
Day 26
Acts 5:1-11 – The story of Ananias and Sapphira, a story of hypocrisy, ego and lies. Bring revival Lord and may it begin with me.
Day 25
Acts 4:29-31 – Peter and John’s response to being told not to preach the Gospel is to pray for boldness. May that same faith, boldness and courage mark our churches and our lives as we place our confidence in God and his power to act.
Day 24
Acts 4:8-13 and 18-22 – Peter and John are brought before the religious leaders and a transformed Peter speaks boldly. The clear proclamation of the gospel and the name of Jesus will be at the core of any season of revival. May God increase our hunger for a ‘new normal’.
Day 23
Acts 3:11- 26 – Peter seizes the opportunity to preach to the crowd and directs their gaze towards Jesus. Preaching the gospel brings men and women to repentance and faith in Jesus but when revival comes, not everyone will welcome it.
Day 22
Acts 3:1-10 – We discover in chapter 3 that revival has a cost. Today, however, we read how the news of the healing of the crippled man at the gate spread like wildfire.
Day 21
Acts 2:47 – “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” The Holy Spirit is a missionary Spirit who on the Day of Pentecost gave birth to a missionary church. Do it in our day Lord.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 20
Acts 2:44-26 – Revival has practical outcomes, one of which is that a new spirit of generosity pervades the Church. Let’s pray that we become Spirit-filled, generous people and churches.
Day 19
Acts 2:43 – Revival can be uncomfortable as the real and intense presence of God overcomes men and women. Dare we pray for revival, for God to act in His way? We desperately need revival in the Western Church.
Day 18
Acts 2:42-47 – As we pray for revival, let us also continue steadfastly in evangelism, worship, acts of compassion and personal devotion to Christ.
Day 17
Acts 2:42-47 – The Lord of the Church is a miracle-working God. Let’s expect and welcome the signs and wonders which are always at the heart of revival.
Day 16
Acts 2:42 – As the early Church devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, we too must devote ourselves to the Word of God.
Day 15
Acts 2:24-32 – Peter’s sermon makes much of the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Death has been defeated! In revival times men and women in great numbers take hold of the gift of eternal life. Lives are changed by the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Day 14
Acts 2:23 – The cross was at the very centre of Peter’s sermon and features prominently in revival hymns. It will always be at the centre of a move of God the Holy Spirit. It is only by the blood of Jesus that our sins are forgiven.
Day 13
Acts 2:37-41 – What reputation does your church have in your community? Are our churches noteworthy in all the ways they should be? Let’s pray together for a full-blown revival move of God in our diocese.
Day 12
Acts 2:22-24 – We continue to see the scriptures at the centre of events. And again, we see the Holy Spirit pointing people to the person of Jesus, leading them to repentance and trust in him.
Day 11
Acts 2:17-18 – In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is poured out on just a few, often prophets. From Pentecost onwards, the Holy Spirit is available to all believers – to the many.
Click on page links below for earlier videos in the series
Day 10
Acts 2:14-21 – Peter rises to preach and turns immediately to scripture. History shows that a fresh focus on the proclamation of the gospel and the Bible always accompanies seasons of revival. Let’s get God’s Word into people’s hands and hearts and beyond our church walls.
Day 9
Acts 2:5-13 – Bishop David explores the gift of speaking in tongues and encourages us again to pray for revival.
Day 8
Acts 2:5-8 – The Holy Spirit is given to the Church for the work of mission and our task is to reach the nations with the gospel. We pray today for a greater sense of God’s presence.
Day 7
Acts 2:1-4 – The Holy Spirit opens our ears, hearts and lives to hear from God. He opens our eyes to see who Jesus is, calls us to repentance and clothes the Church with power. Today we pray that God will raise up evangelists.
Day 6
Acts 2:1-13 – Luke’s account of the Day of Pentecost which was a fulfilment of the existing Jewish feast. It happened suddenly and through the centuries, revival has also come suddenly. Let’s not give up praying for a fresh move of God. “Come Holy Spirit.’
Day 5
Acts 1:15-26 – The disciples see in the Old Testament that they should replace Judas and so they do it. A love of the scriptures, obedience to the Word of God and the centrality of Jesus are essential to a revival move of God.
Day 4
Acts 1:12-14 – We see the early church united and persistent in prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Revival is always preceded by prayer because it depends on God’s power and not our own.
Day 3
Acts 1:6-11 – Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. May God stir our hearts to cry out for a move of the Holy Spirit in our day.
Day 2
Acts 1:6-11 – The rule and reign of God – God’s kingdom coming among us – is the work of God the Holy Spirit. He empowers God’s church to point people to Jesus. Revive us, Lord.
Day 1
Beginning today Ash Wednesday, Bishop David invites you to join him for 40 daily Lent devotionals exploring Revival and the early chapters of Acts.
As we look at scripture, past revival accounts from our diocese, and discern what God is doing today, we will cry out together for a fresh move of his Spirit in Down and Dromore and throughout the island of Ireland.
Each film will be released on the diocesan website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram feeds.
