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Ask for the Rain

Ask for the Rain

Receiving Your Inheritance of Revival & Outpouring
by Larry Sparks 2016 201 pages
4.30
100+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Revival is a Dynamic Demonstration of New Testament Christianity

Revival is meant to redefine business as usual.

Redefining Normative Christianity. Revival is not a special event or temporary spiritual excitement, but a return to the authentic, powerful expression of Christianity as demonstrated in the New Testament. It represents a radical departure from ritualistic religious practices.

Core Characteristics of Revival:

  • Unveiling Jesus Christ through Holy Spirit's power
  • Challenging obsolete traditions
  • Compelling believers to be extraordinary
  • Transforming entire communities through supernatural encounters

Spiritual Awakening. Revival is a continuous river of Holy Spirit outpouring that has been flowing since Pentecost, representing normal, supernatural Christianity in action. It calls believers to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit's power, breaking through complacency and religious formalism.

2. Holy Discontentment Propels Spiritual Growth

If what I have is all the Christianity there is, then the thing is a fraud!

The Power of Spiritual Hunger. Holy discontentment is not a negative emotion but a divine catalyst that propels believers beyond their current spiritual experience. It emerges from recognizing the gap between scriptural promises and personal reality.

Characteristics of Holy Discontentment:

  • Refuses to settle for spiritual mediocrity
  • Challenges existing religious paradigms
  • Creates an intense longing for deeper encounters with God
  • Motivates persistent pursuit of spiritual transformation

Spiritual Breakthrough. This holy restlessness is not about criticism but about passionate hunger for more of God. It acknowledges current blessings while simultaneously believing that greater spiritual dimensions are available and accessible.

3. Prayer is the Catalyst for Revival

Without prayer, revival will not come.

Prayer as Spiritual Warfare. Effective revival prayer is not a passive activity but an aggressive spiritual discipline that confronts spiritual darkness and releases God's transformative power into communities.

Revival Prayer Characteristics:

  • Persistent and passionate intercession
  • Focused on seeking God's face, not just His hand
  • Willing to wait and listen
  • Rooted in corporate unity and spiritual alignment

Historical Precedence. Throughout church history, every significant spiritual awakening has been preceded by extraordinary, often prolonged seasons of corporate and individual prayer that transcend traditional religious practices.

4. God's Presence Transforms Communities

When God is in the house, all the focus is on Him.

Manifest Presence Phenomenon. The genuine presence of God is not confined to church buildings but has the potential to transform entire regions, cities, and societal structures through supernatural encounters.

Transformation Indicators:

  • Deep conviction of sin
  • Spontaneous conversions
  • Radical lifestyle changes
  • Supernatural manifestations of healing and deliverance

Societal Impact. True revival goes beyond individual spiritual experiences, creating systemic changes in communities by releasing Heaven's culture and transforming societal norms through sustained divine encounters.

5. Hunger for God Unleashes Supernatural Power

Revival waits for whosoever will.

Spiritual Receptivity. Personal hunger and desperation are more important than theological knowledge or ministerial position in accessing supernatural power. God is searching for yielded vessels willing to pursue Him relentlessly.

Power Activation Principles:

  • Intimate communion precedes supernatural manifestation
  • Vulnerability invites divine intervention
  • Desperation breaks through spiritual barriers
  • Childlike faith overcomes religious limitations

Supernatural Lifestyle. The goal is not occasional miracles but establishing a consistent lifestyle where the supernatural becomes the new normal, demonstrating God's Kingdom power in everyday contexts.

6. Revival Requires Radical Surrender

We must empty ourselves before He can fill us with Himself.

Complete Yielding. Revival demands a radical abandonment of personal agendas, comfort zones, and religious traditions. True spiritual awakening occurs when individuals are willing to be completely transformed by God's presence.

Surrender Characteristics:

  • Willingness to be uncomfortable
  • Prioritizing God's agenda over personal preferences
  • Embracing unpredictable spiritual encounters
  • Releasing control to divine sovereignty

Spiritual Metamorphosis. Surrender is not about self-deprecation but about making space for God's unlimited potential to flow through human vessels.

7. The Holy Spirit Wants to Move Beyond Church Walls

God is coming into our churches and He won't care what is in His way.

Expanding Spiritual Territories. The Holy Spirit is not confined to religious institutions but desires to manifest His power in every sphere of society, including marketplaces, schools, governments, and personal environments.

Territorial Expansion Strategy:

  • Recognize God's sovereignty in all domains
  • Pray strategically for societal transformation
  • Release supernatural influence in everyday contexts
  • Challenge spiritual strongholds

Kingdom Invasion. The goal is to bring Heaven's culture into earthly realms, demonstrating God's power beyond traditional religious boundaries.

8. Intimate Communion Precedes Powerful Manifestation

Give yourself to prayer early in the morning and late at night.

Relational Depth. Powerful spiritual manifestations are rooted in intimate, consistent communion with God. The secret place of prayer is where supernatural encounters are cultivated.

Intimacy Principles:

  • Prioritize quality time with God
  • Develop a lifestyle of sustained worship
  • Listen more than you speak
  • Create space for divine encounters

Transformative Relationship. True revival emerges from deep, personal relationship with God rather than religious performance or ministerial activities.

9. Embracing Uncomfortable Spiritual Encounters

When God is in the house, you don't even have to preach.

Supernatural Disruption. Revival often manifests in unconventional, seemingly chaotic ways that challenge religious comfort and predictability. Spiritual maturity involves discerning and embracing divine movements.

Encounter Characteristics:

  • Willingness to suspend programmed expectations
  • Recognizing God's sovereignty in manifestations
  • Valuing transformation over religious order
  • Maintaining spiritual sensitivity

Spiritual Flexibility. The ability to flow with God's unexpected movements requires humility, trust, and a deep commitment to experiencing His genuine presence.

10. The Church Must Become a Carrier of God's Glory

We are not waiting for revival; revival is waiting for us.

Presence-Centered Mission. The church's primary purpose is to carry and release God's transformative presence into every sphere of influence, becoming a living demonstration of Kingdom power.

Carrier Characteristics:

  • Cultivate continuous spiritual hunger
  • Develop supernatural worldview
  • Release heaven's culture in earthly contexts
  • Become conduits of divine intervention

Generational Mandate. Each generation is called to expand the territory of God's manifest presence, pushing beyond previous spiritual boundaries and releasing unprecedented levels of supernatural power.

Last updated:

Review Summary

4.30 out of 5
Average of 100+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Ask for the Rain receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with readers praising its powerful message on revival and spiritual awakening. Many find it inspiring and educational, highlighting its emphasis on seeking God's presence and the importance of prayer. The book is lauded for its historical context and personal testimonies. Readers appreciate its compilation of various authors' perspectives and its relevance to modern Christianity. Some critics note a lack of originality or continuity, but overall, the book is highly recommended for those seeking spiritual growth and revival.

Your rating:

About the Author

Larry Sparks is a prominent figure in Christian publishing, serving as the publisher for Destiny Image. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has played a crucial role in developing and distributing hundreds of books and resources. Sparks is an author himself, having written or co-authored several books on faith and revival. He regularly contributes to Christian media outlets and hosts a TV program on GOD TV. Sparks holds a Master of Divinity from Regent University and is known for his work in promoting prophetic voices and amplifying messages of spiritual renewal. He resides in Texas with his family.

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