Wednesday — Humility Before Renewal
New Testament Scripture – Acts 1:14
"All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together…”
Old Testament Scripture – 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…”
A Devoted People
Acts tells us they were “constantly devoting themselves to prayer.” It even says - Constantly.
Which is interesting, because these are the same disciples who not long before were arguing about who was the greatest. (Perspective changes things doesn't it.)
Before anything public happens — before sermons, before miracles, before thousands respond — there is a room full of people who know they cannot manufacture what comes next. I would suggest - that realization is actually a gift.
Humility Comes First
Second Chronicles gives us a pattern that shows up over and over again in Scripture: humility precedes renewal.
“If my people… humble themselves.”
We prefer action steps. God begins with posture.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is remembering who reigns. The ascension has clarified something for the disciples — Jesus is King. They are not. So they pray.
Prayer is not a strategy session. It is not filler time while they wait for something better to happen. It is alignment. It is surrender. It is the acknowledgment that whatever comes next must come from above.
And if we are honest, that kind of dependence can feel uncomfortable. We would rather contribute something measurable. (we default to the less complicated response - don't we).
Before Power, Prayer
It is easy to celebrate Pentecost. Wind. Fire. Bold preaching. Thousands responding. Now that feels like momentum.
But before the spectacle, there was submission. Before power, there was prayer.
The reign of Christ begins in an upper room, not on a stage. It begins with people who are willing to humble themselves before they are ever asked to speak for Him.
Revival language can get dramatic. We talk about breakthroughs and awakenings. But Scripture keeps bringing us back to something quieter — humility, repentance, steady prayer. Ok - so it is not flashy. Not even immediate. But it is foundational.
And maybe that is still the pattern - but we never learned that in sunday school?
News flash - If we want renewal, we need to begin on our knees.
Prayer
Lord,
You reign above every authority.
Humble our hearts before You.
Teach us to seek Your face before we seek results.
Make us a people who depend on You first.
Amen.
New Testament Scripture – Acts 1:14
"All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together…”
Old Testament Scripture – 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…”
A Devoted People
Acts tells us they were “constantly devoting themselves to prayer.” It even says - Constantly.
Which is interesting, because these are the same disciples who not long before were arguing about who was the greatest. (Perspective changes things doesn't it.)
Before anything public happens — before sermons, before miracles, before thousands respond — there is a room full of people who know they cannot manufacture what comes next. I would suggest - that realization is actually a gift.
Humility Comes First
Second Chronicles gives us a pattern that shows up over and over again in Scripture: humility precedes renewal.
“If my people… humble themselves.”
We prefer action steps. God begins with posture.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is remembering who reigns. The ascension has clarified something for the disciples — Jesus is King. They are not. So they pray.
Prayer is not a strategy session. It is not filler time while they wait for something better to happen. It is alignment. It is surrender. It is the acknowledgment that whatever comes next must come from above.
And if we are honest, that kind of dependence can feel uncomfortable. We would rather contribute something measurable. (we default to the less complicated response - don't we).
Before Power, Prayer
It is easy to celebrate Pentecost. Wind. Fire. Bold preaching. Thousands responding. Now that feels like momentum.
But before the spectacle, there was submission. Before power, there was prayer.
The reign of Christ begins in an upper room, not on a stage. It begins with people who are willing to humble themselves before they are ever asked to speak for Him.
Revival language can get dramatic. We talk about breakthroughs and awakenings. But Scripture keeps bringing us back to something quieter — humility, repentance, steady prayer. Ok - so it is not flashy. Not even immediate. But it is foundational.
And maybe that is still the pattern - but we never learned that in sunday school?
News flash - If we want renewal, we need to begin on our knees.
Prayer
Lord,
You reign above every authority.
Humble our hearts before You.
Teach us to seek Your face before we seek results.
Make us a people who depend on You first.
Amen.
Posted in Easter Season 2026
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