A backslider—if there be a spark of life left in him—will groan for restoration. Listen carefully: this renewal requires the exact same work of grace as your conversion did. You needed repentance then; you certainly need it now. You needed faith to come to Christ the first time; only that same grace can bring you back to Jesus now. You needed a word from the Most High, a word from the lips of the loving One, to end your fears back then. And when you feel the weight of present sin, you will quickly discover you need that word again.

No one can be renewed without a real, true manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power—just as real as what you felt at conversion. Because the work is just as great. And flesh and blood are just as much in the way now as they ever were.

O Christian, let your personal weakness drive you to prayer! Let it be the very argument you use to cry out to God for help. Remember David. When he felt powerless, he did not fold his arms. He did not close his mouth. He ran to the mercy seat crying, "Renew a right spirit within me!"

Do not let the doctrine that you, unaided, can do nothing make you sleep! Let it be a goad in your side, driving you with awful earnestness to Israel's strong Helper. Oh, that you would have the grace to plead with God as though you were pleading for your very life! "Lord, renew a right spirit within me."

Anyone who sincerely prays this prayer will prove his honesty by using the means through which God works. Be much in prayer. Live much upon the Word of God. Kill the lusts which have driven your Lord from you. Be careful to watch over the future uprisings of sin. The Lord has his own appointed ways of working. Sit by the wayside, and you will be ready when he passes by. Continue in all those blessed ordinances which will foster and nourish your dying graces.

And knowing that all the power must proceed from him, cease not to cry: "Renew a right spirit within me."