SERMON NOTES
Introduction
As I prayed for this moment, I heard the Lord declare that He is preparing to revive the women of this generation. A fresh wind of revival is stirring, awakening daughters for such a time as this!
This is not just another gathering—it is a divine appointment. Today, chains will break, burdens will lift, and a new hunger for God will arise. To the woman carrying heartbreak, feeling unseen, and bearing burdens too heavy to carry alone, the Lord is drawing you near. This is your moment of restoration, your moment of revival!

What is Revival?
Revival is more than just an emotional experience—it is a supernatural renewal, restoration, and refreshing from God. It is when dry places in your life are watered again, when God breathes life into what you thought was dead. Revival reignites faith, restores hope, and reveals purpose.
Let’s turn to our foundational scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-24
Context and Setting:
1 Kings 17 takes place during the reign of King Ahab, one of Israel’s most wicked kings. Ahab, influenced by his wife Jezebel, promoted Baal worship and led Israel into deep idolatry (1 Kings 16:30-33). As a response, God sent the prophet Elijah to declare a drought as judgment for Israel’s unfaithfulness (1 Kings 17:1). This drought lasted for three and a half years (Luke 4:25, James 5:17), leading to widespread famine.
At first, God provided for Elijah at the Brook Cherith, where ravens brought him food (1 Kings 17:2-6). But in verse 7, the brook dried up due to the drought, setting the stage for a divine encounter between Elijah and the widow at Zarephath.
1. A Woman in Desperation: Don’t Let Your Situation Dictate Your Faith
In 1 Kings 17:8-16, Elijah encounters a widow gathering sticks, preparing what she believes to be her last meal before she and her son perish due to famine.
She tells Elijah, "I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
Elijah meets a widow gathering sticks. She is preparing her last meal for herself and her son, expecting to die due to the famine.
Who is this woman? The Bible does not tell us her name, but what we do know is that she was a victim who was also impacted greatly by the drought as well, what we do know is that she was struggling, what we do know is she was going through a dry season, what we do know is that she needed revival.
Now if we go back to verse 12, she says that she was ready to die. Why those choice of words? The fact that she was ready to die, let’s us know that she had offcially lost hope. She had accepted defeat. She was ready to give up. And honestly in that moment, she probably felt desperate and hopeless. And the reality of her situation probably made her feel like there was no way out.
How often do we allow our circumstances to dictate our faith? How often do we believe that our current struggle is the end of our story? But we serve a God who makes a way out of no way!
No matter what you are facing, remember: God has the final say over your situation. It’s not over until He says it’s over!
2. God’s Provision in the Dry Season: He Has Not Forgotten You
Now remember this woman was going through a drought. The woman was going through a dry season and she was probably wondering “where is God?”.
Oftentimes, we may be going through heartbreak, pain, financial issues, educational issues, brokenness, and we’re wondering God where are you?
The widow obeyed Elijah’s request to provide for him, despite her own lack. And what happened?
But please know that God had not forgotten her, just as He has not forgotten you.
God shut off Elijah’s provision at the brook to redirect him to this woman. Sometimes, when we lose something, it's because God is shifting the supply to a new place where we will be blessed.
“She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.” (1 Kings 17:15-16)
Elijah was comfortable by the brook (1 Kings 17:4-7), yet God dried it up to lead him to this woman—a woman in need of a miracle. God saw her need and acted in her favor.
God’s blessings are not just for you—they are meant to overflow to others. When He provides, it is so you can also be a blessing.
3. A Greater Revival: From Physical to Spiritual Restoration
Just as the widow was experiencing provision, another tragedy struck—her son became sick and died (1 Kings 17:17). In distress, she cried out to Elijah, blaming herself. How often do we believe our hardships are a result of our past sins?
But God is a Redeemer. Elijah prayed over the child, stretched himself upon him three times, and pleaded with the Lord. And God heard his prayer—the boy was revived (1 Kings 17:19-22). This was the first recorded resurrection in Scripture!
God is not only concerned with your physical needs but also with reviving your faith, your passion, and your spirit. What area in your life needs revival today?
4. Conclusion: Your Revival is Here!
No matter where you are in life, God sees you. Whether you feel distant from Him, weighed down by trials, or stuck in a dry season—He is ready to revive you!
Just as He did for the widow (1 Kings 17:7-24), for Rahab (Joshua 2:1-21), for the woman at the well (John 4:1-26), and for the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34)—He will do it for you!
- If you need healing, He will revive you.
- If you are broken, He will restore you.
- If you have lost hope, He will reignite your faith.
The enemy has tried to silence the voices of women for too long, but no more! Today, chains are breaking, burdens are lifting, and a fresh anointing is being released. God is restoring passion, renewing strength, and raising up women to pray, preach, prophesy, and lead in power!
A Prayer for Women
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with open hearts, ready to receive the revival You have for us. Lord, breathe new life into every weary soul. Revive dreams that have been forgotten, reignite faith that has wavered, and restore hope that has been lost.
Pour out Your Spirit upon Your daughters. Raise up women of boldness, faith, and power. Break every chain of doubt, fear, and insecurity. Let us walk in the fullness of our calling, knowing that You have equipped us for such a time as this.
Lord, we declare revival in our lives, in our homes, in our communities, and in this generation. May Your fire fall upon us, and may we never be the same again!
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
Your revival is coming! Receive it and walk in it.
- Written by Amaria Phillips