Preparing for a Move of God

by Kim Linton | Updated February 18th, 2023

Every pastor and church leader wants to experience a dynamic, lasting move of God and a fresh, spiritual awakening in their church. Below are a few things that must happen if you want God to bring real power, growth, and blessing to your ministry.

The Church Must be Unified

It is impossible to have unity in the local church if people seldom worship or study together. That said, getting together for an endless stream of “socially minded” activities just to keep everyone busy often causes more harm than good. Tired, worn-out people who are not being continually filled with the Spirit are a recipe for disaster to the local body.

Real unity is only found through Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 – “That you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

You Must Hear From God

Some pastors wait until the night before then sample an online sermon for their weekly service. It’s not wrong to use other sources, but if you never receive a fresh, personal word from God your church will be lifeless. Preparing a sermon should not be a painful process. Study the Word and spend time every day in prayer – resting in and learning from the Master.

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Be Filled With the Spirit

Christians who regularly operate in the flesh are dangerous. We keep ourselves busy doing a lot of things that seem right, but in the end they are worthless and sometimes harmful to the body of Christ. The only way to be continually filled with (and guided by) the Holy Spirit is to spend regular, daily time with Jesus in prayer, worship, and the Word.

Colossians 1:9 – “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

Be Different – Be Yourself

Don’t be like everyone else. It’s fine to learn from others, but trying to look and act like the current church “crowd” will not work in the long run. For a move of God to occur, people need to see something different, something genuine. Not religiosity, but Christians who say what they mean and mean what they say. Never be embarrassed to be yourself. God made you the way you are for a reason – and a season.

1 Samual 16:7 – “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

The Word Must be Taught

If God is going to do a work in people’s hearts, and bring power and deliverance in the body of Christ, the Word must be taught. Not just random stories and “milk” sermons, but a verse-by-verse, meaty study of the entire Word of God. Not just passages that are exciting to teach, or come easy for you, but also the difficult verses – including the Book of Revelation!

Acts 20:26-27 – “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

There Will be Conviction and Changed Lives

When the Word is being taught, and God begins to move, people will be convicted and sometimes difficult to deal with. Even the “rocks” of the church may go through a metamorphosis during a revival. That said, don’t be afraid of change! Many pastors and church leaders are so concerned about offending people they water down the truth. God said his Word would, not might, bring conviction.

Acts 2:37-38 – “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Only God Can Bring Real Revival

We can do everything right in the eyes of people and the power and presence of God still not be present. Only God brings real, lasting revival in our hearts and minds through the power of His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”