THE FIRE MUST REMAIN ON THE ALTAR
Keeping the Flame of Prayer, Holiness and Mission Alive
By Reverend Gary Hoban
“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” – Leviticus 6:13 (NKJV)
Revival is not only about receiving fire from God; it is about faithfully tending what God has ignited. In Leviticus, the priests were commanded to keep the fire burning on the altar. It was not to go out. That picture speaks powerfully to the Church today.
THE FIRE MUST BE TENDED
Spiritual fire does not remain strong through neglect. Prayer must be maintained. The Word must be treasured. Holiness must be pursued. Worship must remain centred on Jesus. The Church cannot live indefinitely on yesterday’s encounter with God. We need fresh oil and daily surrender.
DO NOT LIVE ON YESTERDAY’S REVIVAL
We honour what God has done in previous generations, but memories cannot replace present obedience. Australia needs believers who know the God of revival for themselves – not merely the stories of revival. The testimony of yesterday should create hunger for God today.
PRAYER KEEPS THE ALTAR BURNING
A prayerless Church eventually becomes a powerless Church. Prayer keeps our hearts tender, our discernment sharp and our dependence upon God clear. The altar is maintained when ordinary believers choose to seek God consistently, not only when crisis forces them to pray.
HOLINESS PROTECTS THE FLAME
Compromise quenches spiritual hunger. Holiness does not earn the presence of God, but a consecrated life makes room for His work. We must refuse the quiet compromises that slowly cool our love for Jesus and weaken our witness.
THE FIRE IS FOR MISSION
The Holy Spirit does not fill the Church merely so that we can enjoy spiritual experiences. Acts 1:8 connects the power of the Spirit with witness. Revival fire should send believers outward – proclaiming Christ, serving people, discipling believers and carrying the Gospel into the community.
WATCH FOR THE ASHES
Every altar produces ashes. Yesterday’s sacrifice must not become today’s obstruction. There are seasons when God asks us to remove what has finished so that we can faithfully tend what He is doing now. Tradition can serve us, but it must never replace obedience to the Holy Spirit.
FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT OF GOD
Paul told Timothy to stir up the gift of God. Spiritual passivity is not our calling. Gifts must be exercised, faith must be strengthened and courage must be renewed. God has placed something within every believer that should be used for His glory.
FAMILIES NEED A PRAYER ALTAR
The Church gathers during the week, but discipleship is also formed in the home. Parents and grandparents can pray with children, read Scripture, speak blessing and make Jesus central to family life. A national awakening can begin around ordinary kitchen tables.
PASTORS CANNOT CARRY THE FIRE ALONE
The whole Body has a responsibility. Pastors need intercessors, encouragers, servants and mature believers who will share the work of ministry. A healthy Church is not an audience watching a few people burn; it is a people carrying the flame together.
AUSTRALIA NEEDS A BURNING CHURCH
Our nation does not need a Church that is angry at darkness but cold toward God. We need believers whose love for Jesus is visible, whose prayer is persistent, whose lives are holy and whose Gospel witness is courageous.
KEEP ADDING WOOD
Do not wait for a conference to revive your prayer life. Open the Bible today. Pray today. Forgive today. Worship today. Encourage someone today. Share Christ today. Small acts of daily obedience keep the altar supplied.
THIS MONTH: KEEPING THE FIRE BURNING
We are praying for a Church that will not grow cold, distracted or satisfied with past encounters. May prayer, holiness, the Word, worship and mission remain alive in every congregation, ministry and Christian home.
10 PRAYER POINTS FOR SPIRITUAL FIRE
• Fresh hunger for God – Psalm 42:1-2
• Prayer altars restored – Acts 2:42
• Love for Scripture renewed – Psalm 119:105
• Holiness and consecration – Hebrews 12:14
• Fresh filling of the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 5:18
• Pastors strengthened and refreshed – Isaiah 40:31
• Young people awakened to Jesus – Joel 2:28
• Bold Gospel witness – Acts 4:31
• Unity that strengthens mission – John 17:21
• Revival fire across Australia – Habakkuk 3:2
PRAYER FOCUS
A fresh hunger for God and sustained spiritual fire. Pray for prayer altars to be restored, believers to return to Scripture, pastors to be refreshed, families to seek God together and the Church to carry revival into mission.
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” – Leviticus 6:13 (NKJV)
A PRAYER TO KEEP THE FIRE BURNING
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for every work of grace You have begun in us.
Forgive us where we have become distracted, cold, prayerless or satisfied with yesterday’s encounter.
Renew our first love for Jesus. Restore hunger for Your Word and delight in prayer.
Purify our hearts and remove compromise. Teach us to walk in holiness without losing grace, humility or compassion.
Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit. Stir up every gift You have placed within Your people.
Strengthen pastors, intercessors, families and young people.
Make Your Church bold in witness, faithful in discipleship and generous in service.
Let the fire of Your presence burn brightly across Australia.
May we watch, pray, discern and stand until Jesus is glorified in our nation.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
OUR MISSION
To equip, encourage and mobilise Spirit-filled believers to pray, proclaim God’s Word and contend for revival, reformation and the advancement of God’s Kingdom in Australia.
CONNECT WITH US
Telegram: t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia
Zoom Prayer Meeting: Wednesdays — 6:30 PM AEST
Email: info@refinerylife.org
Website: www.refinerylife.org
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
NEXT WEEK
Issue 6 – Continuing the call to watch, pray, discern and stand for Australia.
LET US STAND TOGETHER IN PRAYER. GOD IS NOT DONE WITH AUSTRALIA!
WATCH • PRAY • DISCERN • STAND
