(or Recovering from “Burn-Out”) (read part 1 here)

It’s actually possible for believers who have been actively involved in Christian service to become somewhat unmotivated or disoriented after receiving a fresh revelation of the all-sufficient love of God for them.  Many times the activities we are doing are really, unknowing to us, in the pursuit of favor from God or men.  When someone comes to the realization that they are already in full possession of everything they need, the only motivation remaining to do any good works is genuine love.

Real ministry comes from the overflow of abiding in this divine love, manifesting itself in selfless giving.  What I just described is a positive reason for “ministry burnout.”  The other is simply that the “why we are doing what we are doing” is burned out!  Both give an opportunity to be motived by a greater love.

As you may have guessed, I personally have experienced this particular “problem” of ministry burnout on several occasions during my 17 years of Christian experience.  Mixed motives have caused me many times to be in pursuit of the public limelight. I’ve experienced burnout because of disappointments and failed expectations, and burnout because I became more aware of the all-sufficient God.  I much prefer the latter.  Either way, any of us in this God-ordained situation can only pray like the Psalms, “Enlarge my heart, that I may run the course of your commandments.”

Maybe you’ve been struggling in ministry? Pastors and leaders are under a barrage of assault from immature sheep (being sheep-bitten) and genuine satanic assault.  Some efforts are birthed simply from the wrong desires, and need to be reestablished by the Lord himself.  (“unless the Lord build the house…”)

Whether you are discouraged or being “reestablished” by the Lord, we can pray two ways.

1. Father, increase my capacity to love.  Enlarge the borders of my heart to love like You love.

2. Father, bring a deeper revelation of Your all-sufficient love towards me. I welcome the reestablishing of Your work through my life.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…”  (Ps 23:1)

“Pursue love…”  (1Cor. 14:1)

- Richy Clark

Revival and Prayer Movements Taking Cities Together!

Recently, I was leading worship for a small prayer gathering in California. 40 or so people gathered in an old Baptist church, that was apparently no longer Baptist. When worship ended, a friend of mine got up to share his burden for California, and then we opened the mic for others to pray as the rest of the room joined in agreement. After about 3 prayers, a young man took the mic and, as if to do us all a favor, declared enthusiastically, “We don’t need to pray for revival, revival is already here!” From the worship leader position, I had a front row seat to watch the response in the room. About a third of the congregants nodded their heads in agreement; the rest of the room was either deflated or slightly irritated. I had a sudden “opportunity” to say a few things.

1. Prayers for “revival” are for the advancement and enforcement of what Christ has done.  The kingdom has landed, and we get to pray it forth with authority because Christ has “disarmed principalities.” Is there still injustice? Yes. We pray this “revival” into the injustices of our time. (Is 9:7, Col 2:15)

2.  Our “completeness” in Christ does not mean we stop praying for the salvation of others or for our own fresh “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” The reality of our positional perfection before God is not in conflict with these kind of prayers, it empowers them.  We are sanctified and “being sanctified.” The earth has been redeemed and is being redeemed.  ( 2 Pet 1:3, Acts 4:31 )

3.  A burden of prayer, or travailing prayer is not based in someone looking for acceptance from God, or for the ear of God. Instead, it is someone who has been marked with the heart of Jesus, who, having “joy above His companions,” wept over the death of Lazarus.  The miracles of Jesus were done as He was “moved with compassion.” He invites us to share His burdens. ( This can also be likened to what Paul described as spiritual groanings.)  ( John 11:35, Rom 12:15, Rom 8:26)

 4. The blood of Jesus has disarmed principalities, having not yet displaced them; we get to do that! Father Nash operated in this principle, praying in advance for Finney-led revival meetings. The “breakthrough” that Nash would testify of after laboring for days in prayer, could very likely have been the rushing in of angelic assistance (as in Daniel 10),  the binding of the demonic “strong man” in the lives of individuals, or the displacement of regional principalities.  ( Mark 3:27,Col 2:15, Eph 6:12 )

The young man in our prayer meeting probably had a history of God responding to his faith! That is, if we go out and share Christ and pray for the sick, we will see results, regardless of the oppression or the sin of a city! Jesus likes people and moves in response to our faith. There is something to be said for just “going for it” in a city!

More intercessors could use a dose of faith and works mixed with their prayers. More revivalists could use a dose of a prayer burden mixed with compassion. This will all mature together in the coming days!

So, while “possessing all things”, we wrestle (disarmed) principalities by operating in faith for the advancement of a Kingdom that has already landed. Amen.

May the Finney/Nash testimony inspire you to deeper levels of Holy Spirit-burdened prayer and faith in His power to transform cities through an overcoming, faith-filled Church.  - Richy Clark