By John Abiola
Jesus made it unmistakably clear that true defilement is not external but internal. In Mark 7:1–23, after withdrawing privately with His disciples, He explained that what enters a person from outside cannot defile them. Rather, it is what proceeds from within, the heart, that determines spiritual purity or defilement.
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
Many believers faithfully serve in church, labor in ministry, fast, pray, and participate in spiritual activities, yet still experience delays in answered prayer, stagnation in ministry, and an absence of revival power. Jesus reveals the root issue: the condition of the heart. External rituals cannot compensate for an inwardly polluted heart.
The heart is the battleground of spiritual life. Unforgiveness and bitterness toward family members, fellow believers, or leaders hinder prayer and block the flow of God’s mercy. Unrepented sin, whether hidden or public, breaks fellowship with God, weakens spiritual authority, and opens doors to oppression. Pride resists God, limits grace, and diminishes the effectiveness of ministry. Fear, doubt, and unbelief drain spiritual strength and render prayer powerless.
Sexual immorality, greed, covetousness, deceit, and lying pollute the heart and make the believer spiritually ineffective. Gossip, slander, and reckless speech sow division and quench the move of the Spirit. Hypocrisy and religious pretense build an outward appearance God will not honor. Lukewarmness, selfish ambition, and neglect of God’s Word starve the soul and slow revival.
Generational sins, unresolved offenses, rebellion, and disobedience can delay both personal and corporate breakthroughs. Participation in occult practices, witchcraft, curses, or spiritual compromise gives the enemy legal access and hinders God’s work. Every delay in prayer, every stagnation in ministry, and every barrier to revival can ultimately be traced back to the state of the heart.
Jesus teaches that cleansing must begin within. Confession, repentance, forgiveness, humility, and obedience purify the heart and restore intimacy with God. When the heart is cleansed, prayer regains power, ministry bears fruit, revival ignites, families are restored, and spiritual authority is renewed. Strongholds are broken, demonic influence loses its grip, and the believer walks in peace, favor, and divine alignment.
The heart that moves heaven is not perfect, but it is surrendered. It is free from pride, bitterness, and hidden sin. It is humble, obedient, forgiving, and fully yielded to God. Such a heart attracts God’s presence, releases revival, and carries spiritual power that no ritual can produce.
True holiness is inward. When the heart is right, heaven responds.
Prayer for Cleansing, Revival, and Spiritual Breakthrough
Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ. You search the heart and test the reins. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Reveal every hidden sin, bitterness, pride, envy, unforgiveness, and rebellion within me.
I repent of all sin, known and unknown. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus. Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. I forgive all who have wronged me and release every offense into Your hands.
Break every generational curse, remove every stronghold, and destroy every work of darkness operating in my life, family, church, and nation. Fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit. Empower me to walk in holiness, humility, faith, love, and obedience.
Let my prayers rise with power. Let revival ignite in my heart and overflow into my family, church, and community. I declare that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, every hindrance is removed, and every plan of the enemy is destroyed.
Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in me and through me. I receive cleansing, restoration, revival, and spiritual authority by faith.
In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Prophet John Abiola
Revive Us Again series 120.
Revive Us Again is a global prayer movement uniting believers across nations to return to God’s heart, seek genuine repentance, and cry out for revival until the Church is restored and the Great Commission fulfilled.
globalintercessors7@gmail.com, nigeriaglobalintercessorsngi@gmail.com, prophetjohnabiola97@gmail.com.
