“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 (NIV)
Believe it or not, we are honored to live in this day! We are in a Kairos season, meaning something special, historic is happening. And as such, we get to be a part of it. In fact, we have a role to play in it. We have the privilege of being forerunners, the first fruit of this new season! But with this privilege and honor comes a responsibility. God has placed us here and now for a reason. He chose you and me, for now! A great awakening is coming, even now God is stirring many from their slumber. But we need to pray, fervently, urgently and continually, for those around us in the church who are still in slumber.
Jesus warned that when you see clouds growing in the west, understand a rainstorm is coming (Luke 12:54). He goes on and asks “Why don’t you understand what is happening now?” (Luke 12:56). That’s the question He lays before us today!
The sons of Issachar were known for understanding their times (1 Chronicles 12:32). Likewise, Jeremiah exhorted the exiles to understand their circumstances from God’s perspective, that He was working out His plan. It is so easy to grumble, and complain about what we are experiencing and miss what God is actually doing. To understand the times, brings with it the role or part we can play in it!
The season we are in is nothing like we’ve ever experienced before. Something is shifting, changing, at first it was subtle, but now it is loud and obvious! The world will never be the same. Exposure, judgment, removal for some. Blessing, revival and awakening for others. We can hear Paul’s words right now, “Wake up O sleeper! Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14). The implication is, if we don’t wake up, we will miss out big time!
Jesus beseeched the Church of Sardis to “wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die” (Revelation 3:2). These people thought they were alive, but in actuality they were dead. Though they had a reputation of vitality, they were asleep in deception! Those words of warning ring out to us today!
Pray that any and every part in you that is asleep would be awakened. Ask God to grant you understanding of the times we are in, and the great honor and responsibility that you have to be alive right now! Ask Him for clarity in what you are to do, and what you’re not to do. Pray for laser focus in your life! Pray that your pastor and church would be awakened, and that every trace of deceptive slumber would be washed away. Pray that your church would take its place in what God is doing and about to do in our city, nation and world! Ask God for an awakening grace over our city, that the sleepers would arise and allow Christ to shine on them! Pray that His people in our city would understand the times and live accordingly!
