The Coming Revival: America's Call to Fast, Pray, and "Seek God's Face"

..."...As I have said, the promise of the coming revival carries one condition. Before (it takes place), believers by the millions must first humble themselves and seek His face in fasting and prayer..." Bill Bright; p.157; The Coming Revival... Written by one of the greatest spiritual leaders ever(?)- maybe his best & most exciting book- Bill Bright has had a unique place in my heart as a believer from the very start of my Christian life. His simple yet dynamically impacting presentation of spiritual truths will easily stand the test of time, even to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This is an excellent work on fasting and prayer! Emphasizing revival in 2000 & beyond- Endorsed by many of today's top evangelical leaders, it cuts right through many of the divisive issues in the church to the heart of spirituality, which is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But why is the church seemingly so impotent today? Why has our relationship with Jesus not been impacting our country in many obvious ways? Is it real, or is our relationship with God completely out of touch with the needs of the world around us? How exactly do we get 'in touch' with God anyway? What does it all mean, and how can it all start with me? What's my part in all this? Bill Bright explains, in his wonderfully simple way, that it's all about drawing near to God by humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God's face and turning from our wicked ways: then, and only then, will God hear our prayers and heal our land. The power of fasting and prayer in relation to all this is what this book is about- 2 Ch 7:14 is still valid today! Packed with information from start to finish- the Appendixes 40+ pages may actually be the best part(!). The *physical details* in fasting are also included- This is truly an incredibly great book! It's definitely the best book on fasting relating to prayer I've ever read, and it's certainly true that in giving instructions on fasting Jesus said 'when' we fast and pray, and not 'if'. Fasting has already been a blessing to me, but I'm not anywhere near a forty day fast... yet. My only *slight* criticism, and the reason for my originally giving it a slightly imperfect rating, is that I get a little uncomfortable with language that seems to tie our nation *too* closely to the Christian faith. I say it with the deepest sense of humility though(!), because I've been greatly blessed by Bright's teachings in my life. More specifically, my complaint is in regards to when he says that failing to vote is a sin against our country, suggesting it be included in confession (p.130). I believe in the right not to vote, as well as the right to vote- I can't see 'not voting' being worthy of confession. But I want to be absolutely clear on this: I'm practically nit-picking here! Ultimately, we are not just citizens of this world, and our kingdom is not to be considered an earthly kingdom- Mt 7:21; 18:3. Bill Bright, being one of the greatest evangelical leaders