If there's such a thing as a list of endangered prayer species, revival must surely be on it.
Time was when folks actually talked about revival—what it looks like, feels like. What they’d heard from others who's seen at least a glimpse of it. We honestly prayed for revival. Even expected revival to actually happen. Seems like 20 or 30 years ago, revival was a much hotter subject. Not today.
Now I'm not here to suggest absolutely nobody cares about revival any more. But interest in the subject definitely seems to have waned. Nancy DeMoss of “Revive Our Hearts Ministries” agrees. In a recent interview, I asked her point blank, “Is it just my impression, or do you think people are talking less about revival these days?”
Nancy's reply was direct: “Yes. We are talking and praying less about revival. No question about it. “
These days, we talk about the worshipping church. We talk about the emerging church…the missional church. But—oddly–we don't talk about the revived church. Or revival itself.
Personally, I think it's because we've become accustomed—even comfortable—doing church without much help from the Holy Spirit. He doesn't seem to show up much, so we don't think to ask Him for much. As for the supernatural outpouring of conviction that leads to confession that leads to revival…well, we're just not interested, thank you very much.
Why should we be? Our worship bands sound great, our HD video and widescreen PowerPoint have never looked snappier, and Pastor's messages are—quote– “culturally relevant.” What more could we want?
Revival, that's what.
We need revival. Desperately.
We need to talk about revival, pray about revival, preach about revival, anticipate revival.
So let’s get it off the list of endangered prayer species. Let's remember to simply and humbly ask God to do a work of personal revival in our own hearts…and begin looking for Him to do it on a much grander scale throughout His Church.
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