40 Days for an Awakening in Natal

Something is Missing

Spiritual awakening! It’s a phrase that resonates deeply, evoking loud amens and strong affirmations when preached. Yet, a troubling contrast persists. Why is there such a stark difference between the awakening we say we long for and the spiritual stagnation we often see in our churches? Despite abundant resources, especially in the developed West, the church appears spiritually anemic. Instead of being a powerful instrument in God’s hands, it is often shaped by the culture around it. This unsettling reality raises a crucial question: what are we missing?

The Awakening We Need

We live in extraordinary times, moments with the potential for a great spiritual harvest. Yet, before the lost can be reached, God’s church must first awaken. Spiritual awakening means coming alive to God and His purpose for His people. Today, signs of spiritual stagnation surround us—Christianity reduced to mere rituals, half-hearted devotion, prioritization of temporary comforts over eternal values, and an alarming indifference to God’s mission.

History reveals that the church has often been spiritually asleep more than awake. God, in His mercy, has repeatedly stirred His people, often using adversity to capture their attention. As C.S. Lewis famously said, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” God doesn’t only awaken His people through pain; sometimes, it is His still, small voice that stirs our hearts, reminding us that we were made for more. Whether through a trial, a teaching, or a simple nudge from the Spirit, He invites us to return to Him.

The church in Ephesus commended for its works but rebuked for abandoning its first love, is a sobering example. Their vibrant ministries masked a heart that had grown cold. Jesus’ call to them echoes to us today: “Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:5). He calls us to the same—return to Him, rekindle our first love, and rediscover the joy of living fully for Him.

Believing God for Great Things,

Derek Neider

The Response We Need to Choose

God has many ways of capturing our attention, whether through a gentle whisper or a life-altering disruption. When He does, we face a choice: to ignore His call and continue in spiritual dullness or to turn our whole hearts back to Him and embrace the awakening He desires for us. The way forward is simple, as outlined by Jesus to the church in Ephesus. First, we must repent—acknowledge and confess our sin, turn from it, and receive God’s forgiveness. Then, we must redo the works we once did, reestablishing Jesus as our first love and the sole focus of our worship and adoration.

This crossroads is where many believers find themselves stuck, hesitating between repentance and decisive action. Yet, sincere repentance and a bold step of obedience to follow Jesus break the chains of spiritual stagnation. When this happens, the power of the Kingdom of Heaven is unleashed in the heart of the believer. Darkness turns to light, sorrow to joy, weakness to strength, and doubt to faith. The light of Christ shines brightly once more, restoring us to His intended mission and enabling the church to fulfill its God-ordained purpose.

The Restoration of God’s Mission

When God awakens His people, it inevitably leads to the revival of His mission. Throughout Scripture and church history, this pattern is unmistakable: a spiritually awakened church breathes new life into the spiritually lost. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed this truth when he wrote, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light” (Isaiah 60:1–3). Similarly, Paul exhorted the church in Ephesus to awaken to Christ, urging them to let His light shine through them.

When we are spiritually awakened, our hearts are aligned with God’s desire for the world to know His love. This restoration of mission draws us back to the Great Commission—the clear command Jesus gave before His ascension: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). This mission is not optional; it is a divine mandate for every follower of Christ and every church in every generation.

Tragically, the church has often drifted from this mission. Dallas Willard referred to it as “The Great Omission,” highlighting how the church has frequently treated the Great Commission as a mere suggestion. But there is hope. When God awakens His people, His mission once again becomes our central focus. As hearts are renewed, the love of Christ compels us to carry the gospel to the lost with a restored passion and urgency.

The Reliance Upon God’s Methods

A spiritually awakened church learns to rely entirely on God and His methods rather than on worldly strategies or human efforts. When our hearts are awakened to His purposes, we recognize that eternal results cannot be achieved through earthly means. Instead, we must embrace the spiritual tools Jesus gave His disciples—prayer, fasting, and sacrificial generosity. These disciplines, taught in the Sermon on the Mount, are powerful acts of faith and devotion that unleash the divine power needed to fulfill God’s mission. 

Paul reinforced this truth when he wrote, “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). These spiritual disciplines, when practiced with sincerity and focus, enable believers to advance God’s kingdom with His authority. They are not merely religious activities but are deeply transformational, equipping us to overcome obstacles and bring the gospel to the world.

Making the Most of the Challenge

The 40-day challenge outlined here will guide you through three critical spiritual disciplines: prayer, fasting, and sacrificial generosity. Each section includes a study to deepen your understanding, practical steps for application, space for reflection, and an opportunity to praise God for His work in your life. Let this be a time of transformation and renewed commitment to God’s kingdom.

History-Impacting Prayer

(Matthew 6:5–15)

Prayer has the power to shape history. Every great revival has been catalyzed by the prayers of God’s people, bringing the power of heaven to earth. Samuel Chadwick once observed, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion… but trembles when we pray.” A prayerless Christian is neither a threat to the enemy nor an effective instrument for God.

Jesus’ disciples recognized the importance of prayer and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Jesus’ response wasn’t merely instructional but transformational. He modeled a dynamic, multifaceted approach to prayer that deepens our communion with God and advances His kingdom. This model, known as the Lord’s Prayer, serves as a powerful framework for effective prayer.

Eight Facets of the Lord’s Prayer

1. Relationship: “Our Father in Heaven”

Through faith in Christ, we approach God as His beloved children, relying not on our merit but on His grace.

Prayer: Father, touch the lives of the lost and draw them to know You as their heavenly Father. 

2. Reverence: “Hallowed be Your name”

While we can approach God intimately, we must also honor His holiness and glory.

Prayer: Father, may Your name be exalted and revered among the nations. 

3. Submission and Expectation: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

As citizens of His kingdom, we align our desires with His will.

Prayer: Father, bring heaven into the hearts of those who are far from You.

4. Dependence: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

We trust God to meet our needs and sustain us each day.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for self-reliance and teach us to depend on You entirely.

5. Confession: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Regular confession cleanses and restores our relationship with God.

Prayer: Father, we confess our sins and the sins of our nation. Be merciful and bring many to repentance.

6. Deliverance: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

God equips us for spiritual battles and delivers us from the enemy.

Prayer: Father, tear away the veil that blinds the lost so they may see the light of the gospel. 

7. Worship: “Yours is the kingdom, power, and glory forever”

Worship turns our focus from ourselves to the beauty and majesty of God.

Prayer: Father, restore Yourself as the true object of worship in the hearts of many.

8. Integrity: “If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you.”

Forgiveness reflects God’s grace and aligns us with His character.

Prayer: Father, help us live lives that reflect Your love and draw others to Jesus.

Application: Establish a consistent daily prayer time and protect it from distractions. Approach God’s Word with an open heart, expecting to hear His voice. Create a space where you can pray undisturbed and focus on the needs of others, especially their salvation.

Shaking Heaven and Earth Through Fasting

(Matthew 6:16–18)

Fasting is one of the most overlooked and misunderstood spiritual disciplines in the modern church, yet it is profoundly powerful. In developed nations, where food is plentiful, and comfort is prioritized, the idea of deliberately abstaining from meals can seem unnecessary or extreme. However, Jesus assumed that His followers would fast. He didn’t say, “If you fast,” but rather, “When you fast.” Fasting is an intentional act of worship that draws us closer to God, humbles our flesh, and secures His mighty power for circumstances beyond our control.

Jesus modeled fasting during His 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4), and Paul followed this discipline throughout his ministry. It was during prayer and fasting that the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to their missionary journey—a movement that brought the gospel to Asia Minor, Macedonia, and beyond (Acts 13:2–3). Fasting, coupled with prayer, changes the course of history because it aligns our hearts with God’s purposes and unleashes His power.

The spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting are often linked in Scripture, forming a powerful combination. Jesus taught that some spiritual battles can only be won through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20–21). Throughout the Bible, fasting is associated with guidance, repentance, and intercession. It sharpens our spiritual focus, breaks strongholds, and clarifies God’s will for our lives and His mission.

Examples of Fasting in Scripture

1. Spiritual Battle: Jesus taught that certain spiritual victories require both prayer and fasting.

Application: Fast and pray for the salvation of those God has placed on your heart.

2. Guidance: The early church fasted and prayed, seeking the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Application: Ask God to guide His people and awaken the church to the Great Commission.

3. Intercession: Paul and Barnabas fasted and prayed as they appointed leaders in new churches.

Application: Pray that fasting becomes a regular practice in your church community.

4. Repentance: Fasting is a sign of humility and brokenness over sin.

Application: Ask God to reveal and break the strongholds of sin in your life, your church, and your city.

5. Separation from the World: Daniel and his friends fasted to honor God rather than indulging in the king’s delicacies.

Application: To focus entirely on God, consider fasting from worldly distractions, such as excessive screen time or unhelpful habits.

Application: Jesus modeled fasting as an expected part of spiritual life. During these 40 days, commit to incorporating fasting into your routine. Start small—perhaps one meal or one day—and increase as God leads. Use your mealtime to feast on God’s Word instead, praying for the chains of sin to be broken and for spiritual awakening to spread.

Considerations

• Begin with a single day of fasting, replacing meals with prayer and Scripture reading.
• Focus your prayers on those who are in spiritual battles or need salvation.
• Identify and eliminate distractions that pull your attention from God, such as excessive use of social media, television, or other activities.
• Pair your fasting with acts of justice and compassion, such as helping the vulnerable or giving to the needy, as described in Isaiah 58.

Praise: Take time to reflect on what God reveals to you through fasting. Journal how He is working in your life and how your heart is being drawn closer to Him.

Sacrificial Generosity

(Matthew 6:1–4)

The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16–22 illustrates a powerful truth about sacrificial generosity. This man, who had everything the world could offer—wealth, power, and youth—came to Jesus seeking eternal life. But when Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him, the man walked away sorrowful, unable to let go of his earthly treasures. His possessions, rather than being tools for God’s purposes, had become his master. This is a struggle many of us face, regardless of our level of wealth. The issue isn’t how much we have but whether what we have controls us. Earthly possessions make excellent servants but terrible masters.

Generosity is one way to guard against this. It keeps our hearts aligned with God’s kingdom rather than building our own. Giving is not just an act of charity; it is an act of worship. When we give sacrificially, we reflect the heart of our generous God, who gave His Son for our salvation (John 3:16). Through generosity, we also demonstrate our trust in God as our provider, freeing us from fear and self-reliance.

Key Principles of Generosity

3. Imitating God: As beloved children of God, we give because He first gave to us. His generosity toward us inspires our generosity toward others (Ephesians 5:1).
4. Worship: Giving is a form of worship, expressing our love and devotion to God. Like Mary of Bethany, who poured out her costly perfume on Jesus’ feet, sacrificial giving is a fragrant offering that brings joy to God and glorifies Him (John 12:1–9). 
5. Stewardship: Everything we possess belongs to God. When we give, we are returning what is already His. Understanding this liberates us from the anxiety of ownership and helps us prioritize His purposes.
6. Faith: Giving requires faith, as we trust God to meet our needs while we invest in His kingdom. Jesus taught us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, assuring us that He will provide for every need (Matthew 6:19–34).
7. Increase: God promises that those who give generously will also reap abundantly. While our motivation is not to receive, we can trust that God will supply more so that we can continue to give (2 Corinthians 9:6–11, Malachi 3:10).

Considerations

• Support your local church through regular, sacrificial giving.
• Ask God to reveal missionaries, church planters, or ministries you can bless financially.
• Look for ways to meet the needs of the vulnerable in your community.
• Privately bless a fellow believer who loves God but is facing financial hardship.

Praise: As you practice generosity, take time to journal the ways God provides and works through your giving. Celebrate His faithfulness and reflect on the joy of participating in His mission.

Make It Go Viral

Imagine the impact if not just one Christian or one church experienced spiritual awakening but if believers across cities, nations, and the world embraced the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and sacrificial generosity. The ripple effect of awakened hearts would be undeniable, turning the world right side up for the gospel. Revival would spread like wildfire, transforming communities and nations with the power of Christ’s love.

This is not a distant dream—it begins with you. Take the challenge of these 40 days seriously and invite others to join you. Share this vision with your family, friends, and church. Encourage them to lean into God’s presence and power, embracing the disciplines that Jesus gave us to advance His kingdom. Together, we can be answers to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Let your life be a beacon of God’s awakening, inspiring others to join His mission.

Closing Thoughts

His mission, and relying on His methods. Through prayer, fasting, and sacrificial generosity, we draw closer to Him and experience the transformation He desires for us individually and collectively as His church.

Let these 40 days be a catalyst for personal renewal and a spark for corporate revival. As you journey through these practices, trust that God will meet you, guide you, and empower you to live out His calling. The awakening begins with one heart—yours.