Magnificent Prayer #351

And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

1 Kings 18:30 KJV

We read that Elijah began the demonstration of the true God by repairing the altar of the Lord that was broken down. Never was there a revival that did not so begin. And if today God answers from heaven we must begin to repair His broken altars: altars of consecration where once we gave ourselves to God and promised to do His will alone; where we offered Him our talents and time and possessions, ourselves; but with the years we have kept back part of the price and lied unto God until it is a wonder we do not drop dead like Ananias and Sapphira; altars of dedication where we gave our children to God, but later chose our way for them and denied God; family altars where once we gathered to read the Word and commit our way unto the Lord, but now abandon with the silly excuse that since times have changed, it is no longer practical; altars of praise and testimony where once the redeemed of the Lord said so, but sin and worldliness and neglect have closed our lips and stolen our song; altars of service where once we lived only, always, for the King, but have now deserted because we live for self and none beside, just as if Jesus had never lived, just as if He had never died.

Here is our task, to repair these broken altars, and all our pious dodges and clever substitutes to avoid repentance will never avail. Stained-glass windows and robed choirs and anthems and banquets and dramas and eloquence in the pulpit and elegance in the pew have never fooled God. He demands truth in the inward parts, and heaven will keep silent and no fire will ever fall until we approach Him with rebuilt altars in the name of the Lord.

VANCE HAVNER

Revival is restoring the years the locusts have eaten.

JAMES A. STEWART