What is revival? This is a good question for us to ask in light of our upcoming revival meeting. Some say that a revival is exactly that: a meeting, one that we have in either the Spring or the Fall. Some are scheduled for a weekend, some for half a week, or, though it is rare nowadays, an entire week. During this time, we meet a lot, preach a lot, pray a lot, sing a lot, visit a lot, fellowship a lot, eat a lot, and if we are blessed, we baptize a lot. Well, although revival will indeed involve these things, it would do well for us to examine what the Bible says about the subject of revival.
What is revival? I think that as we look to David’s request in Psalm 85:6, we will discover some truths that will help us better understand just what revival is. After all, you’ve got to know what you’re aiming at if you’re going to hit the target!
1. The Need of Revival - “Again”
Revival is something that we will always be in need of. No matter how mature we are in the faith, no matter how victorious a Christian life we lead, we will never get to the place where we do not need a fresh touch from God. This is what revival is all about. It is not just a time to reach the lost and restore the wayward, but it is a time to refresh the faithful.
It is for this reason that we must regularly schedule what we have come to commonly refer to as “revival meetings.” We will always be in need for a fresh touch from God; and such meetings are intended to be times we set aside for the purpose of seeking a fresh touch from Him.
Too many churches seem to have lost this idea today. They either see revival meetings as merely another “part of the program,” or they have discontinued holding such meetings altogether. We have seen revival meetings here in the United States go from being scheduled for two weeks, to one week, to half a week, to a weekend, to even “one day revivals.” There was a time, however, when churches scheduled “protracted meetings” wherein they met until it seemed God had touched and sufficiently refreshed His people and then they would meet for the purpose of presenting the Gospel to the lost in their community.
Some object to holding such meetings because they
complain that the effects of a good revival never seem to last. I have notice, however, that the effects of a good bath never seem to last either, but that doesn’t keep people from taking a bath every now and then.
Likewise, a fresh touch from God is always something that God’s people will be in need of. Therefore, it is right an Biblical to set aside times for seeking a fresh touch from the Lord. Because revival is
always something God’s people will need, it is good and right to set aside times for that purpose.
2. The Source of Revival - “You”
Who is the “you” that David is addressing? It is none other than God, Himself. You see, the source of revival is not the preacher, the program, or the promotion. The source of revival is God.
Henry Morehouse, an evangelist of years gone by, was greatly used of God to bring souls to Christ. He preached with great power in revivals in England and Amer ica. In one of his meetings, however, everything was at a standstill. He gave himself to earnest prayer. "0 God," he implored, "why am I not preaching with unction and power? Why are the people so unresponsive? Why are souls not being saved?"
God gave him the answer to his ques tions as he walked down a street. On a billboard he read some flattering words about himself: "Hear the most famous of all British preachers: Henry Morehouse!" God seemed to say to him, "That’s why there is no revival." He went immediately to those in charge of the meeting and said, "No wonder we can’t have a revival. No wonder the Holy Spirit cannot work. You have advertised me as the greatest this and the greatest that. The Spirit is grieved because we have not magni fied the Lord Jesus Christ, and ascribed all glory to His mighty name. He is the wonderful One. I am only a voice saying, ’Behold the Lamb of God!’"
As we look forward to the revival meeting we have scheduled to begin next week, we need to realize that our guest speaker will not arrive with revival in his pocket. No, he does not bring revival, only God does.
3. The Subjects of Revival - “Us”
Where does revival take place? It takes place in the hearts of God’s people. Therefore, if revival is going to take place among us, I must be primarily concerned with revival taking place in me.
One of my favorite subjects in years past has been the story of the great revival that took place in the country of Wales at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Welsh Revival was a mighty movement of God that not only resulted in restoring backslidden believers & refreshing faithful believers, but over 100,000 unbelievers confessed Christ as their Savior within the first six months of this movement of God.
In his book, “The Flaming Tongue,” author J. Edwin Orr speaks of the impact of this revival on Welsh society. He tells amazing stories of communities where the local pubs went out of business due to lack of patrons; of longstanding debts being paid and
restitution being made; and most amazing of all, the fact that the Welsh coal mines virtually coming to a standstill because the mules that pulled the ore carts could no longer understand the instructions of the miners, whose language was now cleaned up.
This movement of God spread from Wales to impact Ireland and Scotland, England, Scandinavia, and the European continent; and eventually the United States. This was due, in part, to the role the news media played in reporting on the events associated with God moving among the Welsh Christians.
One story is told of a reporter arriving in community in Wales and asking a policeman if he could direct him to “the revival.” “Could you tell me where the revival is?” the reporter asked. As he pointed to his heart, the officer said, “Ah, the revival is here!”
That is where the revival we need must start: in your heart and in my heart. Once it has come to my heart, then it can spread to others.
(Start A Fire Video)
4. The Secret of Revival - “Will”
“You have not because you ask not.” - James 4:2 (KJV)
If we are going to experience real revival, we must ask God for it.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Preacher and author Leonard Ravenhill used to say that the reason why we do not see God move more among His people is that “we are more concerned about our churches being air-conditioned than prayer-conditioned!” May that not be the case for us. Rather, let’s seek the face of God and ask Him to send revival to our hearts.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” - Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
(Refer People to Revival Prayer Guide)
5. The Result of Revival - “That your people may rejoice in you”
Historians have noted that associated with great revival movements of the past has always been a renewed desire to worship and praise God.
The great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, observed in his day that with revival comes “an uncommon sense of the nearness of God with joy in the Holy Spirit, and abounding thanksgiving and praise.”
The real solution to the “worship wars” that are taking place in so many churches today is not a ‘blended” service, or separate services, where we offer “classic worship” or “contemporary worship,” but for God’s people to remember where the real focus for worship is supposed to be - on God!
(The Gift of Worship Video)
Conclusion: Real revival is Christ-focused, Christ-centered, Christ-exalting, Christ-honoring, Christ-worshipping, and Christ-proclaiming.
Revival is a time when God’s people return to the simplicity of their first love. We gain a fresh awareness of how Jesus is to be Lord of our lives and put Him back at the center of our lives.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and (I) will forgive their sin and (I) will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Our problem is that we see ourselves at the center of things, with God on the periphery. We think of God in terms of what He can do for us to make us happier or to answer our prayers or to give us good feelings. A Christian should be aware that the God of the universe is at the core of all things, the absolute center, and we are created by Him to glorify Him. It is only as we turn everything on its head, turning them upside-down, surrendering to Christ-centered living as opposed to self-centered living, that everything will fall into place. It only as we center our lives around Jesus, that our lives can be turned right side up; and that is revival!
(The Truth Video)
Eight Days of Prayer for Revival Guide
Day 1 - Pray that God will create a spirit of humility and brokenness among believers (Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6). God will not revive those who are self-sufficient and proud. Believers must come to see their spiritual bankruptcy and utter dependence on God. Pray that God would grant believers a deeper understanding and awareness of His holiness (Isaiah 6:1-5; 1 Peter 15-16). The holiness of God is a neglected subject in the church today. Yet, it is essential to revival. We need to understand that God is utterly holy. He does not and cannot sin. He is not tempted nor is He tempted. He is pure and without the stain of sin. He always does what is right and good. Pray that believers would be gripped by the absolute holiness of God.
Day 2 - Ask God to reveal to believers the depth and the evil of their sin. Call on the Holy Spirit to move them to confess and repent of their sin (Psalm 19:12-14; 1 John 1:9). The Holy Spirit is grieved when a believer cherishes sin and does not confess and repent of it (Psalm 66:18; Ephesians 4:30). When the Holy Spirit is grieved, He will not release His miraculous, life-transforming power into our midst. Sin has to be dealt with by believers. Believers must be honest about their sin and must come clean with God about these things.
Day 3 - Ask God to reveal obstacles that could hinder your church from experiencing genuine revival. Then pray for its removal (Psalm 139:23). Pray that God will reveal anything that is not pleasing to Him in your church. Call on Him to deal with these obstacles. Plead with Him to remove anything that is keeping the church from experiencing a genuine working of the Holy Spirit in revival.
Day 4 - Plead with God to grant believers a hunger for the Word of God and a readiness to obey the Word of God (Psalm 119:97, 103; 1 John 2:3-6). Plead with the Holy Spirit to stir within every believer a desire to search and to know the Word of God. Ask Him to remove any complacency toward the Word of God by believers.
Call on Him to stir believers to be doers of the Word and not simply hearers of the Word (James 1:22-24). Pray that the Word of God will be preached with power, conviction, and authority (1 Corinthians 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4). Revival usually comes when God gives His people bold, faithful, and fearless preachers of the Word of God. True and powerful preaching of the Word of God is used by God to revive His people. Pray that the fundamental truths of the faith will be presented with great clarity, conviction, and power.
Day 5 - Ask God to deal with any unforgiveness or bitterness among the believers of your church (Ephesians 4:30-32). Unconfessed sin grieves the Holy Spirit. Yet, in the context of Ephesians 4, the emphasis is on right relationships in the church. When believers are at odds with each other, the Spirit is grieved. Nothing quenches the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit like broken relationships among believers. Pray that the broken relationships among believers would be healed. Ask Jesus Christ to bind Satan’s work through these broken relationships (Ephesians 4:27). Call on God to deal with the unforgiveness or bitterness that is grieving the Holy Spirit.
Day 6 - Plead that God would convict and save any deceived, unregenerate church members (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Corinthians 13:5-6). There are times when deceived, unregenerate church members work against what God is doing in the church. They cause believers to stumble. Plead that God would deal with any members who may be deceived and are not truly saved. Call on God to strip their hope in themselves and reveal to them the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Day 7 - Pray that God will grant believers an agonizing burden for lost people and an unceasing desire to share the gospel with them (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 9:1-3). Call on God to create within believers a burden to pray for and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with lost people. Plead with Him to grant this to every believer.
Day 8 - Plead that God will give believers a deeper love for the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 4:1-3). The Spirit of God enables people to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Revival is a powerful work of the Holy Spirit in which He draws believers closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. In revival, he leads believers to love and to confess Jesus Christ in a deeper, more faithful way than at other times. Pray that the Holy Spirit will deepen the believers’ love for and confession of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lord and Savior.
Psalm 51:1-13
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
