“When you go through all the verses in Scripture, 2 Chronicles 7:14 is one of the most descriptive verses there is,” says Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader. “God just lays out [that] revival is not complicated.”
After his ministry hosted a Leadership Summit in 2012, it was clear the speakers were rallying around a common theme: the only hope in turning things around spiritually, fiscally, morally, locally, internationally, and personally is revival. This unplanned, but well-orchestrated, message from all the spiritual leaders convinced Vander Plaats to take God’s Word seriously and issue a call to action.
He then authored the book If 7:14 and launched a prayer initiative based on the simplicity of God’s prescription, coupled with the required obedience of 2 Chronicles 7:14. The call to action is the commitment to be prompted twice a day to pray for revival—at 7:14 a.m. and 7:14 p.m. It is as simple as setting the alarm on your cell phone or watch to remind you to stop and pray at that moment.
On their website (if714.org), you can sign up to commit to praying twice a day. You can also “like” the If 7:14 Facebook page to receive regular posts of revival inspiration. And you can text message If714 to (515) 393-2782 to receive a text prayer reminder twice a day.
The book If 7:14 is divided into 11 chapters that unpack the Scripture passage, and can be used as a small group study. It begins with the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (personal revival), then explores the ripple effect for widespread revival.
(C) 2014 Prayer Connect magazine
