Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSON THE MARCH‘Look, brethren, we’ve gotta stop grieving God. Where ishis fear? Can’t you see his judgements amongst us? Brethren,our God is a consuming fire. Look how Ezra felt: “O myGod, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face toyou” (Ezra 9:6). We ought to cry for mercy! We gotta let himplough us up! O God remove our reproach! God will makeZion beautiful again if we stop our arrogance and get lowbefore him.’Everyone went quiet as an awe settled on the room for whatseemed like hours. All was still, apart from a few whisperedprayers. Some fidgeted and couldn’t handle the silence. Outsidethe cold wind blew up clouds of snow.‘Right!’ said Steve. ‘I’m going outside. I’m walking onceround the lawn out front to show God I mean business. It’sgot to be everything, brethren! If you want to follow me, thenyou come — but make it real!’One by one, they walked out into the snow. That night wasa turning point. Rufus got fired up — praying, and fastingand going for long walks. He felt like he was married to God.‘It was like heaven!’ said Rufus, ‘But I couldn’t convey thebliss I felt.’Jess and the kids soon brought him down to earth!In February we started Friday night revival gatherings inchapel. There was no formal leadership. We came in silentlyand prayed, and it was obvious who carried a real burden.Often it was sisters crying to God for their houses, and thatmeant a lot of pride-swallowing for leaders. Our eyes wereopened to backsliding — rebellious kids, prayerlessness, shallowconversions, complainings, worldliness and lack of zeal.253