Is it possible that America will have another revival?
It hasn’t officially happened for a long time in America. According to Wikipedia (a solid source of information ALWAYS), historians have designated “Awakenings” in 1727, 1792, 1830, 1857, 1882, and 1904. The most recent ‘revival’ in America, they say was in the 1970′s with the Jesus People (although I don’t know that I’ve ever really personally considered that a revival… then again, I was 7 at the time).
Early in the country’s history, it seemed that we had more breakouts of revival. Lately, not so much.
My question is… do we actually anticipate another nation-wide revival?
My guess is for most of us… no.
We’ve been beating the ‘this country’s gone to hell in a handbasket’ and how bad things are for too long.
But do we really believe that God could bring another revival to us as a nation?
The Resurgence had a great post this morning about revival. I like this quote:
Revival is not something we do, but what God does in and through us.
WHAT IS REVIVAL?
There are many definitions of revival. Some people think it takes place when an evangelist preaches a protracted set of meetings in a church that last several days or even weeks. Others may think revival is style of worship or preaching. Yet, revival is not something we do, but what God does in and through us.
Stephen Olford says that revival is that, “strange and sovereign work of God in which he visits his own people, restoring, reanimating, and releasing them into the fullness of his blessing.”
Revival is not something we do, but what God does in and through us.
Revival happens both personally and corporately. Personal revival happens when the Holy Spirit renews the heart and mind of an individual. The Spirit renews and revives us when we pray and seek his face. Corporate revival comes about when the Holy Spirit brings renewal to a church or a movement. As Alvin Reid and Malcolm McDow say, “the end results in church revival is that Jesus is Lord, the Holy Spirit is unleashed, and the Father is glorified, the church is edified, and the lost are evangelized.”
via We Need a Revival | The Resurgence.
What do YOU think? Can and should we expect another nationwide revival in the US?
And if so… what difference could/would it make?
Todd
I hope for it.
I wonder how much of our view of the purpose of a revival shapes our abilities to allow God to use us for a revival.
One of the big reasons that everyone missed out on who Jesus was, and why he was here was because they were expecting the general, or a political hero, that would restore Israel to power.
I am wondering if we are getting in the way of revival because we are expecting it to restore this country to the “ideals of the founding fathers” or put the right political party in power.
Am I off base here?
Too many are looking so hard for a “big revival” that they ignore the possibility of a “small revival” in their own heart. That’s the place to start… and the place to stay…
You are not a “corporate”. You are a “personal”… so aim for personal revival and focus on that. imho, of course…