Moral decay surrounds us in America. Only a widespread revival can save this nation from God’s hand of judgment. Our only hope lies in God’s people crying out in concerted prayer for forgiveness and cleansing.

Not many want to give themselves to such prayer. Satan seeks to discourage, disappoint and disillusion those who get serious about being “on their knees before God.” More prayer meetings have died out than any other kind of meetings among God’s people.

Nonetheless, across the nation, there are those crying out with fervor for God to rend the heavens and come down among us with a mighty manifestation of the presence and purpose of God. Thousands of young and old alike have been gathering in stadiums, and other areas pouring out their hearts, crying for God’s mercy. I meet with a group of 30 to 40 ministers in a nearby city who for weeks have been crying out for God’s forgiveness for sins and for His kingdom to come into our region. They meet weekly for several hours in a minister’s prayer meeting and again weekly for all-night prayer meetings. In addition every few months they have been conducting sacred assemblies with hundreds of God’s people from the area crying our for mercy and for change in the region. There is hope.

The scriptures attest to the fact that mercy will triumph over judgment. God meets us at the “mercy seat” rather than the “judgment seat.” Though God is a holy God who must deal justly with our sin, when we cry for forgiveness and mercy, He forgives, cleanses, restores, renews, revives and releases His kingdom purposes among us.

I believe we are headed for revival as we continue to cry out for “His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.”

What will that look like? Only God knows the details, since “His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.” Historically, however, when God’s people repent and cry out for mercy, He hears and cleanses. Expect an awakening of holiness among God’s people. Expect a broken spirit and contrite heart among ministers and laity alike. Expect a new acceptance of one another, a new love for the brethren, regardless of denominational affiliation. In the atmosphere of compassion, we can expect a wave of supernatural signs and wonders. The Lord heals on the wings of compassion.

The coming awakening will likely not just be a prayer movement, a teaching movement, a signs and wonders movement, etc. As we move toward the end of the ages and the second coming of Christ, we will discover that more and more it will be all about Him, not about us. All things are going to be summed up in Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

Expect many to lay aside their religious agendas to simply host Him. Perhaps no classes, no preaching (maybe even on Sundays?), no programs — nothing but bowing in His presence. Expect His presence to be so overwhelming at times in our gatherings that none will know what to do. We may be ruined for “normal” Christianity.

Jesus will build His church, just as He said He would. HE will do it, not men. It is HIS church, not ours. When He finishes, it may not look like what we know currently as church. He is coming back for a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, a church that will be powerful to “knock down the gates of hell.”

Folks, be encouraged! The kingdoms of this world are going to become the kingdoms of our Lord. There may be much turmoil and tragedy along the way, to be sure, but God is in ultimate control. He is not nervous about the seeming dark domination which we witness at the present. When darkness and gross darkness comes upon us, Isaiah the prophet reminds us that then His people will arise and shine for the glory of the Lord will be seen upon them (Isaiah 60:1-3).

The Rev. James E. Erb is bishop of AIM Network of Churches, New Wilmington.