John Wesley was asked the question, “How do you gather a crowd?” He quickly responded, “I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn!” Mercy! People always come to watch when a building or site has caught fire. Perhaps that is what we need today - we need to catch the revival fire!
More than better techniques or even better conferences - we need a good old fashion house fire! We desperately need a breakthrough in our personal lives, families, churches, cities and nations! We need to catch the fire of His presence and burn with His zeal and presence.
What does spiritual fire do? The same thing as natural fire! It purifies sin out of us and brings a new level of cleansing to the heart and soul. Fire warms up a cold heart and makes it hot for God again. The fire of God releases new zeal and power into the believer’s life. Fire also releases the spirit of revelation and all of a sudden it is like the “lights just came on!” Let His fire come to each one of our hearts so that His breakthrough will come on both individual and corporate levels. Let us pray for this type of revival in the church.
A Definition of Revival in the Church
Revival is a season of a powerful visitation from God. The term, properly speaking, belongs to the history of the Church subsequent to the New Testament era. However, during the historic revivals we can identify dominant elements that are also present in the New Testament Church. These center on God acting through powerful manifestations of His presence, strengthening the Church and awakening the world. Indeed, there are many features of revival that flow out of the New Testament experience of God: conviction of sin, many conversions, powerful spiritual encounters, revelations of God, great assurance of salvation, spiritual fervor and some kind of lasting legacy for the Church and society at large.
Foundational Truths Concerning Revival
1. Revival is the restoration to life, vigor and or strength to something that appears to be dead or is dead.
2. Revival makes that thing that appears to be dead, so that it will be operative or valid again.
3. Revival is necessary to counteract spiritual decline and to create spiritual momentum.
4. Revival includes the conversion of a large number of people in a relatively short period of time.
5. Revival is the war that carries the faith from generation to generation.
6. When revival reaches its fullness it stirs:
a. The individual which impacts.
b. The family which revives.
c. A congregation to spread unity, inspiration, and the fire of God to influence.
d. The church in a city or region; which then in turn
e. Releases societal change where the Kingdom of God comes on earth.
7. Revival is the hunger for change.
Key Scriptures for Prayer for Revival in the Church
1. Psalms 85:1-6
2. Habbakuk 3:2
3. Isaiah 64:1-4
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