Send the Fire Today

Dietrich Bonhoffer, one of the past centuries’ great theological minds, once said, "The renewal of the western world lies solely in the divine renewal of the Church".

As I get more and more involved in community and county issues in a number of arenas, I couldn't agree with him more. Almost all of the challenges that our culture is facing would be reduced and even eliminated should the Church of Jesus would rise up, putting aside it’s petty hypocrisies and excuses, and live and love as Jesus does.

I recently came across the following hymn that was written by William Booth over one hundred years ago. William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army and a man used by God in incredible ways to reform society. My prayer, my drive and my motivation for what I will do this next week is birthed out of this old hymn. As we approach Pentecost this week, and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, let us be pray through the lyrics of this old hymn.

O God of burning cleansing flame: Send the fire!
Your blood-bought gift today we claim: Send the fire today!
Look down and see this waiting host,
And send the promised Holy Ghost;
We need another Pentecost! Send the fire today! Send the fire today!

God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire!
And make us fit to live or die: Send the fire today!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin! Send the fire today! Send the fire today!

It’s fire we want, for fire we plead: Send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need: Send the fire today!
For strength to always do what’s right,
For grace to conquer in the fight,
For power to walk the world in white: Send the fire today! Send the fire today!

To make our weak hearts strong and brave: Send the fire!
To live, a dying world to save: Send the fire today!
Oh, see us on Your altar lay,
We give our lives to you today,
So crown the offering now we pray: Send the fire today! Send the fire today!