American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 86

Last week at American Reformation Church, we celebrated our second-year anniversary that coincided with the historic Reformation Day. On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door at the Wittenberg Castle Church. The Reformation took off in earnest, and the world was forever changed.

Reformation means “return to form.” This means you start in one condition (Creation). Humanity deviated from that state, (The Fall). True reform returns us to the original position (God’s salvation through Christ and the New Creation of mankind, 2 Cor. 5:17). The word reformation is mentioned once in the Bible in the book of Hebrews as the Old Covenant bows to the supremacy of the New Covenant.

Hebrews 9:10 states, “concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. In context, this reformation contrasted the Old Covenant (the Levitical priesthood, tabernacle system etc) with the New Covenant established by Christ. The Hebrew writer explains that the Old Testament rituals sacrifices, washings, dietary rules were temporary and symbolic. They were pointing forward to a more complete work.

The Greek word translated “reformation” (diorthōsis), means “making straight again,” “setting things right,” or “correction.”
It was often used medically (to describe setting a bone right) or politically (to describe reforming a state). So, in this context, “the time of reformation” refers to the time when God would set things right spiritually—that is, when the old, imperfect system of worship would be replaced by the new covenant inaugurated by Christ. It was this reformation that change the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. This restored true access to God, not through ritual, but through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–12). It also purified of the conscience, which the old system could never achieve. The New Covenant is therefore the greatest Reformation in redemptive history.

Prayers for reformation abound in Scriptures and throughout redemptive history. David prayed for personal reformation. He fell bad, and needed to be restored. He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalms 51:10).

Habakkuk 3:2, “O Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” This prophetic prayer inspired many revival movements and captures the essence of praying for reformation: a yearning that God’s power be made manifest again in history. The Psalmist concurs, “Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us” (Psalms 68:28 ESV).

Historically, these are two reformers and their prayers for personal renewal, revival, and reformation. First, is John Knox the fiery reformer of Scotland, “Give us, O Lord, the Spirit of repentance; remove from us all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of Your Word. Break down the pride of our hearts, that we may submit ourselves to Your holy will.” This blends personal contrition with a national longing for spiritual awakening. This was a hallmark of Reformation-era intercession.

Second is Jonahtan Edwards. He is famous for America’s greatest sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” and the subsequent First Awakening. He prayed, “Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years! Pour out Thy Spirit upon this languishing church, that she may again become the praise of the whole earth.” Amen!
American Reformation Church Website: