Who can bear the weight of souls without sometimes sinking to the dust? Passionate longings after men’s conversion, if not fully satisfied (and when are they?), consume the soul with anxiety and disappointment. To see the hopeful turn aside, the godly grow cold, professors abusing their privileges, and sinners waxing more bold in sin—are not these sights enough to crush us to the earth? …All mental work tends to weary and to depress, for much study is a weariness of the flesh; but ours is more than mental work—it is heart work, the labour of our inmost soul.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “The Minister’s Fainting Fits”

I remember coming across this lecture by Spurgeon, one in a series of lectures to his students, and it moved me powerfully.

At different points in my life, I remember praying, “God, even if it means blessings pass me over, bless and grow ___, that they may come to know you. God, even if it means I won’t be a part of it, please bring a spiritual awakening, a revival upon ___.”

I know it’s not theologically sound, nor is it biblically correct. But I want so badly for my church members to experience God and to grow deeper in their faith. I desire so badly for my church to experience a revival that only the Holy Spirit can bring forth and for us to become fishers of people.

Lord,

Help us to experience you in fresh new ways. Revive us, O Lord. Open our eyes to see the spiritual battle that rages on around us. To see the souls of those who are lost and dying without you. Make us fishers of men.

Amen.