How Does Revival Begin?
Please God, we pray, make a difference in the lives of the people around me, draw them to yourself, Jesus! (Common Prayer)
The next natural step is to start asking ourselves how we can make this happen. What are the things that we can do? What should we say? What books can we give them? What inspiring videos do they need to see? What meme or truth-telling photo can I share on Facebook or Instagram?
Is it wrong to pray for and desire that many to come to Christ? NO! That is a good desire. But what is at the heart in our hope for the many to come to Christ? Is it an empty auditorium? Is it shrinking offerings? Is it to appease my lack of response, “…here am I, send me…” Hoping for many isn’t a wrong desire. It is, however, a wrong beginning point. What God wants even more that for us to hope for the many is for us to HUNGER for Him!
Our desire for revival must begin with the cry, “Revive Me!” YES, I am well aware we are in a post-Christian era. The tendency would be to think that no one is interested in spiritual discussions. That is far from the truth. It is reported that 47% of non-Christians and lapsed Christians have unanswered spiritual questions. Consider that 39% of this same group say they are seeking something spiritually better.[1] Millennial non-Christians report being twice as likely than older non-Christians to learn about Christian faith and its impact on their lives[2].
Let’s examine closer at how revival actually is awakened within us. Evaluate these 4 actionable steps to see where you find yourself
- Regeneration – This arrives in the form of conviction in which we see our need for God, Jesus, and the Cross. We become new creatures in Christ. Think of it as a personal revival in which we are awakened to spiritual truth. It begins with the cry of “Revive me!”
- Restoration – Because of God’s unfailing kindness to restore us and bring us to Himself, He begins a work of restoration by replacing what was lost because of sin. Perhaps it is finances, family, or health. What a beautiful thing restoration can be in the life of the one receiving and those observing.
- Reformation – This is a time of struggle and engagement with God not like anything previously experienced. This is when we really begin to die to the flesh and put on the spirit and armor of God. This is a season of incredible spiritual growth and maturity.
- Renewal – This is a season we walk more in the spiritual realm and not by human leadership techniques. This is a legitimate working of the Holy Spirit not experienced previously. This is a fresh season of God’s energy flowing through our lives personally and the church corporately. Have you ever reached this season?
- AWAKENING – This is a time in which God transforms entire cultures, cities, and nations.[3]
What I have listed is in a prioritized order. This means that you cannot jump to nations awakening until you first consider the previous four actions that precedes it. We all desire to see this magnitude of awakening in our families, cities, and nations. We desire to see churches filled and hearts in untold numbers running to the Mercy Seat – repenting and turning to Jesus.
[1] Reviving Evangelism (Barna Group 2019) p.73
[2] Ibid.
[3] Jon Tyson, Teach Us To Pray. YouTube Series on Prayer 2018.
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