I am looking for revival, for the Fire of the Holy Spirit, for the Power of God. Fire is mentioned many times throughout the Bible. Around 90 references to fire are directly linked to God, and on 11 occasions God answered by fire. Even at 94 years of age, I am still seeking more Fire, more Power, and a deeper experience of God.
The promise given to us is the Holy Spirit and fire. In Acts 2, fire actually appeared, yet many in the Church today do not seem to recognise the need for the Fire of God.
When I was 14 years old and seeking the Holy Spirit, I never felt that those praying for me had the Fire. I was searching for something they themselves did not possess. I wanted what the first disciples had.
Then, when the Holy Spirit came upon me, I felt and saw something extraordinary. I received what I had been seeking – a powerful experience of the Fire of God.
Later, when I was imprisoned for Bible smuggling, I experienced His Fire again. During the first weeks and months in prison, it seemed as though the heavens were brass. God did not appear to answer my prayers. I felt I could hardly pray anymore.
Then one day, alone in my cell, God led me to pray the Lord’s Prayer. As I prayed, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” I realised that this was the moment to praise Him. I began to sing: “Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art.”
At that very moment, it was as though the heavens opened. To this day, I do not know whether I experienced heaven itself or whether heaven came into my prison cell. But the Fire of God filled my soul and transformed my life.
Today, I am still seeking and searching for a deeper experience with God.
Seventy-six times in Scripture, God appeared unexpectedly through a cloud and through fire. If you experience the Fire of God today, walk into it. The Israelites followed the cloud by day and the fire by night. We too must follow the leading of God.
In 1 Kings 18, God answered Elijah by fire. We face the same challenge today: Who is the true God? Our God is a prayer-answering God. Elijah prayed, “O God, show Yourself to Your people,” and God answered by fire, consuming the sacrifice.
The prophet Nathan said to King David, “Do all that is in your heart.” It is the heart that matters, not merely the mind. God did not permit David to build the Temple; that task was given to his son Solomon. Yet David prepared the plans and provided the resources. Then, when Solomon dedicated the Temple (2 Chronicles 6-7), fire came down from heaven, and the glory of God filled the house of the Lord.
Oh, that we would see such power again today!
God also used fire as a judgment against sin, but my focus is on its life-giving and transforming power. Seek God in a fresh way. Seek a baptism of fire. Where is the pillar of cloud and fire in your life? Are you following the leading of God?
Jesus said, “The works that I do shall you do also; and greater works than these shall you do.” Even now, at 94 years of age, I am still searching for more of God. I will never stop seeking Him. I will never give up.