He could push and shove and try to turn the wheel himself. He could even call in the men from the surrounding farms to help him. His efforts would be in vain until he went up the creek and pulled out the dead logs and debris that dammed up the water. With those hindrances out of the way, the water would flow down again and those wheels would begin to turn. Today we are striving and straining everywhere trying to make wheels go around.
Church bulletins list all kinds of activities.
Church members are urged to visit, call folks, invite others to church, and pray for revival. There's nothing wrong with all that. Almost nothing is said about the need for repentance in the church. But first we must move the debris from the channels so that his living water can bring his life sustaining power. This kind of prayer is a prayer of confession and it is a prayer of repentance.