Self-pity might feel satisfying in the moment, but it never delivers what it promises — and nothing halts a walk with God quite like staying in it too long. Proverbs 11:25 points in the opposite direction: the generous person will prosper, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Humility and service do not just benefit others. They do something in the soul of the person who practices them, fueling the kind of revival that self-focus can never produce.

Jesus is the model. His life was marked by peace, joy, and contentment — not because He insisted on being served, but because He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Philippians 2 describes the posture that produced the world’s greatest revival: He made Himself nothing, took the nature of a servant, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. God the Father used that life to turn the world upside down. A.W. Tozer’s observation cuts through to the heart of why personal revival so often stalls: in every believer’s heart there is a cross and a throne, and we remain on the throne until we willingly place ourselves on the cross. We want to be saved, but we want Christ to do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. But Christ must reign supreme if revival is to happen in our hearts. The prayer that opens the door is not a prayer for more blessing or more comfort. It is a simpler and more costly one: Lord, let me do the dying.

Bible Verse

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
— Proverbs 11:25, NIV

Ponder Today
Nothing halts a walk with God like self-pity — and nothing fuels it like humility and service. The direction of our focus determines the direction of our spiritual health. Turning outward, toward others and toward God, is what opens the conditions for genuine revival.
Jesus modeled the posture that produces revival: making Himself nothing and taking the nature of a servant. His life was not marked by self-assertion but by self-giving, and God the Father used it to turn the world upside down. That same pattern is available to every believer.
In every believer’s heart there is a cross and a throne — and we choose which one to occupy. Tozer’s observation is as relevant today as ever. Revival begins not when we pray more impressive prayers but when we willingly step off the throne and place ourselves on the cross.
We want to be saved, but we want Christ to do all the dying. That honest diagnosis of the human heart is where revival conversations have to start. Comfort, control, and the desire to remain king of our own small kingdom are what keep us spiritually sterile.
Christ must reign supreme if revival is to happen — and that requires our decrease. John 3:30 is the prayer of a revived heart: He must increase, and I must decrease. The life that steps aside for Christ to take center stage is the life that becomes something worth watching.

A Prayer for You Today

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the maker of heaven and earth, over every throne and dominion. We ask that You take Your rightful place in our hearts and minds. Give us a clearer picture of who You are so that we can serve and love You better. Lord, we ask that You would increase and we would decrease. Take center stage in the life You have given us. Grow the fruit of the Spirit in our lives so that we can be more loving, joyful, peaceable, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Apart from You we can do nothing, but with You we can do all things. Please help our lives to reflect You. Revive us so we can rejoice in You again. We love You. We need You. Please help us to be the people You want us to be. Amen.

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Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Self-pity might feel satisfying in the moment, but it never delivers what it promises &mdash; and nothing halts a walk with God quite like staying in it too long. Proverbs 11:25 points in the opposite direction: the generous person will prosper, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Humility and service do not just benefit others. They do something in the soul of the person who practices them, fueling the kind of revival that self-focus can never produce.
Jesus is the model. His life was marked by peace, joy, and contentment &mdash; not because He insisted on being served, but because He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Philippians 2 describes the posture that produced the world&rsquo;s greatest revival: He made Himself nothing, took the nature of a servant, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. God the Father used that life to turn the world upside down. A.W. Tozer&rsquo;s observation cuts through to the heart of why personal revival so often stalls: in every believer&rsquo;s heart there is a cross and a throne, and we remain on the throne until we willingly place ourselves on the cross. We want to be saved, but we want Christ to do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. But Christ must reign supreme if revival is to happen in our hearts. The prayer that opens the door is not a prayer for more blessing or more comfort. It is a simpler and more costly one: Lord, let me do the dying.
<hr>
Bible Verse
&ldquo;A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.&rdquo; &mdash; Proverbs 11:25, NIV
<hr>
Ponder Today
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>Nothing halts a walk with God like self-pity &mdash; and nothing fuels it like humility and service. The direction of our focus determines the direction of our spiritual health. Turning outward, toward others and toward God, is what opens the conditions for genuine revival.</li>
<li>Jesus modeled the posture that produces revival: making Himself nothing and taking the nature of a servant. His life was not marked by self-assertion but by self-giving, and God the Father used it to turn the world upside down. That same pattern is available to every believer.</li>
<li>In every believer&rsquo;s heart there is a cross and a throne &mdash; and we choose which one to occupy. Tozer&rsquo;s observation is as relevant today as ever. Revival begins not when we pray more impressive prayers but when we willingly step off the throne and place ourselves on the cross.</li>
<li>We want to be saved, but we want Christ to do all the dying. That honest diagnosis of the human heart is where revival conversations have to start. Comfort, control, and the desire to remain king of our own small kingdom are what keep us spiritually sterile.</li>
<li>Christ must reign supreme if revival is to happen &mdash; and that requires our decrease. John 3:30 is the prayer of a revived heart: He must increase, and I must decrease. The life that steps aside for Christ to take center stage is the life that becomes something worth watching.</li>
</ol>
<hr>
A Prayer for You Today
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the maker of heaven and earth, over every throne and dominion. We ask that You take Your rightful place in our hearts and minds. Give us a clearer picture of who You are so that we can serve and love You better. Lord, we ask that You would increase and we would decrease. Take center stage in the life You have given us. Grow the fruit of the Spirit in our lives so that we can be more loving, joyful, peaceable, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Apart from You we can do nothing, but with You we can do all things. Please help our lives to reflect You. Revive us so we can rejoice in You again. We love You. We need You. Please help us to be the people You want us to be. Amen.
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers&nbsp;help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily...

Your Daily Prayer

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers&nbsp;help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce&nbsp;The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

A Prayer for God to Start a Revival in You

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ef612612-ec9a-4798-9c1f-b4e900be9a10/transcript