Whats the cry of your heart? Is it wisdom for raising your children? A better marriage? Relief from a

chronic illness? Someone to fill a lonely void in your life?

Each of us has some kind of burden on our heart. And its right

to cry out to God for these situations. But I want to challenge you

to cry out for something even biggerto cry out for the kingdom

of God.

Throughout 2016, Revive Our Hearts is calling women to cry

out for the greatest need of this generationa visitation of Gods

presence and an outpouring of His Spirit in genuine revival and

spiritual awakening. Throughout history, the Lord has used

prayerful women to advance His eternal kingdom purposes, and

today we are asking Him to do that again!

As part of this call, were setting aside an entire evening of the

True Woman 16 Conference for the purpose of coming together

in prayer before the Lord. Cry Out! A Nationwide Prayer

Event for Women is a three-hour simulcast solemn assembly

where well earnestly cry out to the Lord for mercy and grace in

these critical days.

My burden throughout this year is to call women to pray for

our homes, our churches, our nation, and our world for such a

time as thisto see God maximize the opportunities before us

and spread the fame of His Name. I hope youll join with us this

September, in Indianapolis or via the simulcast, as we gather as

women to earnestly seek the Lord together.

Its my prayer that in these days filled with turmoil and evil, we

would be filled with the Spirit and fulfill what God has left us on

this earth to dopoint men and women to Jesus. Would you cry

out to Him with us?

Seeking Him with you,

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Spring 2016 Newsletter

We are praying for hundreds of thousands of women to come together in thousands of locations that evening, lifting our heart cries to Him.

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come,your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Matthew 6:913

A PrayerThat Contains It All

by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

2 ReviveOurHearts.com

I t seems that most of us struggle with the spiritual discipline of prayer. we feel guilty because we know

we should be praying more than we do. and prayer is some-

thing we dont always understand. why does god sometimes

answer prayer and sometimes seem not to? if god is sover-

eign and determines the outcome of everything in the uni-

verse, why should we even pray?

I have to confess that prayer has always been a difficult area of

my spiritual life. I have found much help through study and medita-

tion on the Lords Prayerthe one Jesus used to teach His disciples

how to pray.

This prayer is familiar to most of us. Even many people who

have no claim to a relationship with Christ can recite it. No matter

how frequently you may have repeated it, I would encourage you

to take a fresh look at this familiar passageto think about it while

youre praying; to meditate on it phrase by phrase, word by word,

asking God to weave it into the fabric of your life.

A Model for Our Prayers . . . and Our LivesThe Lords Prayer is actually found twice in the New Testa-

ment. Matthew 6 is the one were most familiar with, but theres

another version in Luke 11. And because Jesus gave this prayer a

little differently each time, it shows He didnt intend us to just use

it as a rote prayer. Theres nothing wrong with reciting this prayer,

but I believe Jesus intended us to use it as a modela templatefor

our prayers.

The Lords Prayer is simple, short, and to the point. Just sixty-

five words if you include the doxology at the end, with no one re-

quest more than ten words long. This prayer is comprehensive.

Almost any petition we can think of will fit into this framework.

In this entire prayer, we find six petitions. Theyre broken into

two sets of three. The first set includes three petitions about God

and His glory. Its all about GodHis name, His kingdom, His will.

In the second half, there are three more petitions. This time

theyre about the needs of the family of God. These three petitions

cover every possible situation. They cover our present, past, and

future circumstances. And they teach us to pray for provision, for

pardon, and for protection.

As we gain deeper insight into the Lords Prayer, we realize its

more than just a way to pray; Jesus is teaching us the way to live.

Its a way to think. Its intended to be the way we live our whole

lives.

Encouragement for Troubled TimesGod has often used this prayer as a means of grace to minis-

ter to His children in times of distress and need. One particular

story involves a young pastor and well-known Lutheran theologian

named Helmut Thielicke who lived in Stuttgart, Germany during

World War II. During the final days of the war, his congregation

was in upheaval. These were horribly trying times for this little flock

of believers. The bombs were falling day and night. The Third Reich

was crumbling. The Allied Forces were coming in and overcoming

the German resistance. The country was in chaos.

Pastor Thielicke looked into the eyes of his people week after

week and saw fear, terror, doubt, despair. These people desperately

needed hope. Was their country going to be wiped out? Were they

going to be wiped out? What was going to happen?

If youre the pastor, what do you say at a time like that? How

do you try and encourage these people? How do you prepare them

for what may lie ahead? Thielicke decided to preach a series of ser-

mons on the Lords Prayer. That series was ultimately translated

into English and published in the United States. In the introduction

to that book, Thielicke said, The Lords Prayer was able to contain

it all.

Were living in troubled times today. We dont currently have

bombs falling around us, but we all know that we live in dire times.

The world is self-destructing under the weight of sin and rebellion

against God. What do you say to people in times like these? How

do we prepare our own hearts for the disastrous times we may be

facing?

We dont know how to deal with these times. We dont know

how to deal with distress. God has given us His Spirit to intercede

for us (Rom. 8:26), but Hes also given us the Lords Prayer to direct

our praying. That pastor in Germany said that the Lords Prayer was

able to contain it all. This prayer does contain it all, and its a prayer

Jesus gave us that will help prepare us to face uncertain times.

Join Nancy August 1September 22 on

Revive Our Hearts as she dives deep into

The Lords Prayer.

3

by Dr. Russell Moore

If all we have to go on is what we see around us, we will become

scared and outraged, and our public witness will turn into an ongo-

ing temper tantrum designed to prove to ourselves and those who

dislike us that we are worth something. And in so doing we would

talk and act just like any other insecure movement: with sarcasm,

anger, and ridicule.

But we arent trying to bring everything back to the good old

days. We are the voice of the future, of the coming kingdom of God.

The message of the kingdom isnt, You kids, get off our lawn. The

message of the kingdom is, Make way for the coming of the Lord.

A gloomy view of culture leads to meanness. If we believe we

are on the losing side of history, we slide into the rage of those who

know their time is short. We have no reason to be fearful or sullen

or mean. Were not the losers of history. We are not slouching to-

ward Gomorrah; we are marching to Zion.

The worst thing that can possibly happen to us has already

happened, in Jesus at the cross. And the best thing that could hap-

pen to us has already happened; were alive in Christ, our future is

seated at the right hand of God, and Hes feeling just fine.

Dr. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics &

Religious Liberty Commission of the South-

ern Baptist Convention, will be speaking at

True Woman 16. The Wall Street Journal

has called him vigorous, cheerful, and fiercely articulate

while The Gospel Coalition has referred to him as one of

the most astute ethicists in contemporary evangelicalism.

Come hear him for yourself; register at TrueWoman16.com.

A s christians, our mission in a fallen world is to speak the gospel prophetically into every sphere of culture. but we also are commanded to speak truth with

love, to join our prophetic gospel of judgment and recon-

ciliation with kindness and compassion.

Because the spiritual powers of the universe are in war against

the Churchs mission, this is always difficult to do. But it can be

especially difficult when cultural change makes our gospel seem

strange, even offensive, to our neighbors. When we sense hostility

to our message and to ourselves from a lost world, our instinct can

be defensiveness and anger.

We may say things like, This country is spiritually in decline

or If God doesnt judge this country, He will have to apologize to

Sodom and Gomorrah. This kind of language feeds into a sort of

apocalypticism that feels invigorating, with a jolt of adrenaline like

a panic attack. But this hysteria is actually a betrayal of Christian-

ity itself, since it assumes that history is ultimately in the hands of

humanity.

What defuses this hysteria and defensiveness in our hearts is

faith. Our confidence in the promises of God are what give us the

reason and the strength to be kind in our mission as Christians.

Consider the example of Jesus, who showed compassion even

on the demons inside a possessed man when He gave them permis-

sion to enter a herd of pigs (Luke 8:31). Why? Jesus was not seek-

ing to redeem these spirits; the Bible says they are unredeemable,

not even included in the atonement of Christ (Heb. 2:16). Jesus

responded this way because He was not afraid. He was confident

in His Fathers mission for Him, and thus was free from the need,

rooted in insecurity, to constantly prove Himself.

RestingRemembering

OUR CALL TO KINDNESS

IN CONFIDENT HOPE;

4 ReviveOurHearts.com

But God does. And the struggles we face are our greatest opportunities to watch Him work!

Were asking God to draw hundreds of thousands of women together for such a time as this. Would you join us as we cry out to the only One powerful enough to bring about lasting change?

Random violence has become commonplace.

Terrorism is a daily threat.

Marriage is being redefined.

The political process doesnt offer enduring solutions.

If you wont be able to be there in person, consider participating from right where you are. Host a group at your church or in your home; join Cry Out! via the Simulcast; and earnestly seek the Lord on behalf of our families, churches, and nation.

Learn more atCRYOUT16.COM

A NATIONAL PRAYER EVENT FOR WOMEN | SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

A Call to Fall on Our Knees

As a young girl Mary had given her heart to Jesus, and

she shrank from nothing He asked of her. When she heard

about a new mission work in Africa, she longed to serve her

Lord there. Her answer to the many who questioned this

choice was that this was the post of danger and therefore

the post of honor. And so at age twenty-eight, she sailed for

Calabar, heartland of the slave trade.

Afraid that her departure would put too much strain on

her invalid mother and sole surviving sister, she sought her

mothers blessing. Her mothers faith-filled reply freed Mary

to follow their King: You are my child, given to me by God,

and I have given you back to Him. When He needs you and

where He sends you, there I would have you be. Mary never

saw her mother again this side of heaven.

A s i sat in my cozy study, sipping my tea and reading about mary slessor (18481915), i was keenly aware of how different

our lives were in comforts and culture. but my heart

beat with hers. we loved and served the same lord.

surely i have much to learn from her.

A Post of HonorBorn into a poor family in Aberdeen, Scotland, Marys

strong character was evident early on as she spent fourteen

years working twelve-hour days in a factory to help provide

for her mother and six siblings. But character doesnt ensure

greatness; using that strength to serve her King is what set

Mary apart. Unhappy experiences in her home life didnt

cripple her. Rather they prepared her for what lay ahead.

by Jani Ortlund

Mary Slessor of Calabar

The Great Mother of Calabar

6

A Message of Life in a Land of DeathMary went to a people who were superstitious and engaged

in dark customs. Her aim was to help the poor and oppressed

particularly the women, who were considered nothing more than

property. She begged God for guidance and help, writing home that

my one great consolation and rest is prayer.

She deliberately gave up everything for her Master and ac-

cepted the consequences without murmur or complaint. Every-

thing no matter how seemingly secular or small is Gods work for

the moment and worthy of our very best endeavor.

She settled into an area of constant warfare, slave markets,

cannibalism, and human sacrifice. If a chief died, his wives and

slaves would be killed or buried alive with him. If a man was in-

sulted, whole villages could be wiped out in revenge.

In a land of death, she brought a message of life. To people

governed by hellish cruelty, she taught love and kindness. And al-

ways, always, she spoke of her Savior, who was the answer to every

human need. She never kept score of her accomplishments. It

comes back to this. Christ sent me to preach the gospel, and He will

look after the results.

She won these people over by her sympathy, by entering into

their lives and appreciating their difficulties and temptations, act-

ing as a wise mother would. The fame of her goodness and her

moral and physical courage spread, and the people came to trust

her, appealing to this frail, fearless woman on their own customs

and laws. When asked how a woman could be of much help, she

replied, In measuring the womans power, you have evidently for-

gotten to take into account the womans God.

Ma Akamba, the Great MotherShe never married, though not for lack of a suitor. The mission

board asked Mary to break her engagement to another mission-

ary and she did, reasoning, We alter things for the good of our

children, and God does the same for us. But the loneliness and

isolation she lived with were not easy.

Mary Slessor loved all children. She was called Ma Akamba,

the Great Mother, and her house was a continual refuge for little

children. She nursed and cared for all who were brought to her,

sometimes able to pass them back to their parents, other times

comforting them on their way to heaven and then burying them in

the ever-extending cemetery plot behind her hut.

One practice she fought against was the superstitious killing

of all twins at birth, with their mother being sent off alone into the

jungle in disgrace. She had a mothers heart and rescued all she

could, often carrying them for miles on foot to obtain tins of milk

to feed them.

Mary was surrounded with death, disease, and darkness. If

my Savior had not been so close, I would have lost my reason. But

those children knew a mothers touch and voice, a mothers prayers

and passion. She was a true woman. Her children had a refugein

her and in her Savior.

Make Music EverywhereOne of the things I admire most about Mary is that she lived

until she died. I mean she really lived. She served nearly forty

years in Africa and stayed young in her enthusiasm, sympathy, and

humor all the way to the end. One coworker wrote, She seemed to

grow more wonderful the older and frailer she became.

Hers was a life of unselfishness, of dedicated, unwearied de-

votion to Christ. She wrote to a friend, Dont grow up a nervous

old maid! Gird yourself for the battle outside somewhere, and keep

your heart young. Give up your whole being to create music every-

where, in the light places and in the dark places, and your life will

make melody.

Where can you make melodies for Him today?

Just as Mary served with a mothers lovethough

without biological children of her ownmany of

you are also spiritual mothers who have tirelessly

poured yourselves out for others. From all of us at

Revive Our Hearts, wed like to wish you a belated

Happy Mothers

Day!

Mary Slessor is one of many who chose to live a

surrendered life for Christ. Read more inspiring

stories of 25 Women Who Impacted the World

for Christ on TrueWoman.com.

Spring 2016 7

Summer Begins . . .

Editorial: Paula Marsteller, Mindy Kroesche, Stacey Battenburg

Art Direction: Benjamin Hannah

Design: Brittany Wong

Photographers: Lightstock, Pex-els

Looking for bite-sized, daily encouragement right where you are? Follow us on:

facebook.com/ReviveOurHeartstwitter.com: @ReviveOurHeartspinterest.com/ReviveOurHeartsinstagram: @reviveourhearts

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Copyright 2001, Crossway Bibles, esv.org. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Revive Our Hearts is an outreach of Life Action Ministries

PO Box 2000 Niles, MI 49120 ReviveOurHearts.com 800.569.5959

BEFORE THE

Before you know it, your summer vacation will begin. Youll be having fun with friends and family, soaking

up the sunshine.

But dont forget, Revive Our Hearts is possible thanks to the support of friends like you who believe in the

ministry and make it possible with their gifts.

In the summer, people get busy and donations to the ministry drop. But the need to call women to freedom,

fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ continues to be crucial.

Women like these two sisters serving as missionaries in the Middle East:

Listeners like these are on our mind as we close out the fiscal year on May 31. This is the time when we look

back, celebrating what God has done through Revive Our Hearts. Its also the time we look ahead, seeking

His direction for the new fiscal year.

Before the busyness of the summer begins, would you make a much-needed donation

to help Revive Our Hearts stay healthy through the summer months?

Thanks so much for your important role in making this ministry possible!

Full-time jobs and language learning commitments keep us from formally study-

ing how to teach the Word . . . but through the Revive Our Hearts podcast, we are

strengthened and encouraged biblically by women from around the world! Also,

Nancys teaching on prayer and devotion to the Lord are vital reminders to cling

to Him in the midst of spiritual warfare. We are so excited about how the Lord will

continue to use this ministry in our lives and in the lives of others!

ReviveOurHearts.com/DonateGive Today

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Encouragement for Troubled Times

2016 Spring Newsletter Enclosed