For as long as I’ve been in ministry, I’ve longed to see and be part of a revival; to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit that radically reshapes and renews my faith and the faith of the church.

Some would say that this desire is misplaced or even unfounded. They argue that God most often works through the mundane and ordinary circumstances of life to conform us to the image of Christ. Change, they say, primarily happens little-by-little through a quiet yielding to the Spirit of God, through bible study, faithful prayer, or life-on-life in your small group.  God rarely “zaps” people and we should be wary of overly emotional, showy public displays of religiosity. And, of course, I largely agree.  Life transformation occurs down in the nitty gritty of life- through our daily walk with God, trusting God through the highs and lows of life, and by believing and obeying his word. This is what the bible calls “the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5). But is it wrong to long for more? Can’t it be a both/and rather than an either/or?

Last Wednesday at Asbury University near Lexington Kentucky a chapel service began that has yet to end.  Day and night for the last 7 days students have gathered for worship, prayer, and repentance.  Classes have been postponed as this marathon of preaching, prayer and praise continues.  The main chapel seats 1,500 and participants are spilling over into two other auditoriums as students, professors, local church leaders and people from far and wide join in. What’s going on?

In 1734 in Northampton, Massachusetts, the preaching of a 31-year-old pastor named Jonathan Edwards sparked a movement of God that came to be called the Great Awakening. A time of great spiritual renewal spread throughout New England, the colonies and even impacted England. Then, as now, caution and criticism were lodged as pastors, theologians and lay-people sought to discern what was happening.  Is this a true movement of the Holy Spirit or just an over-the-top emotional expression?  Is God doing a new thing or are a bunch of well-meaning people just “jumping on a bandwagon?” Time will tell the impact of this and other such outpourings.

But I don’t think it’s wrong to desire, pray for, or even anticipate a revival, renewal, or strong moving of the Holy Spirit in our church.

Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved. Psalm 80:19

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Is revival possible today?

Pam and I just returned from Africa where two-, three- and four-hour church services are common. I can’t imagine spending that long in church on a Sunday.  And I can’t imagine even wanting to!  I’ve got places to go, people to see and things to do. How about you? …And maybe that’s evidence of the problem. A Big Problem. We’ve lost sight of what really matters.  We’ve been distracted by the toys and trinkets of this world. We’ve been conned into believing that comfort and things and stuff are more valuable than knowing, worshipping, and glorifying God and our priorities show it. My faith is too convenient, it costs me nothing, it’s predictable. My faith lacks… faith!

But I hunger for a renewal in our church. I would love to see a fresh moving of the Holy Spirit. I’m willing for my heart to be broken and reshaped by Jesus. And I long to see a revival that transforms us and impact the community around us.

Dare we pray for revival?