Words of Comfort, Hope and JoySample

Why does revival delay? Is God ignoring prayers for revival? No, because God is not opposed to revivals. God desires his people to be spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit, the spirit of newness, is still working as he did on the day of Pentecost.

History shows that revivals occur only when people are spiritually hungry and expecting them. For example, consider the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the 120 gathered in Jerusalem in the first century. Jesus had told them “to wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4). So, they waited together and dedicated themselves to prayer in the upper room (Acts 1:14). Eventually, when they were “all together in one place” the Spirit was poured out on them on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1—4).

This pattern of longing, waiting, and preparation in prayer appears in all revivals. Sometimes, the Lord uses unusual ways to prepare His people. For instance, the precursor to the Ao Naga revivals in India was the prophecy of a tribal chief who foretold that one day, a man with white skin would arrive and tell them about a new God. He instructed his people to wait for this person and follow his God. The people have been awaiting the white man for years. They have kept alive the memory of this prophecy like a piece of charcoal soaked in fuel, ready to ignite. When it was ignited, the fire spread across the entire Ao Naga tribe as a white missionary wandered into their territory during the colonial period. Today, 90% of Nagas are Christians. I know many such stories from Malaysia and other countries where God prepared His people to long for revivals.

In any revival, a group earnestly waits and prays for it. Prayer and longing prepare them to receive it. Then, in the process, the revival embraces everyone, even its critics. The first flame always falls upon an individual or a group ready for it, like a forest fire beginning with an ember from an unattended bonfire. It starts small with people longing for it and then spreads widely.

Revival never occurs unless people are prepared for it. However, it happens when there is longing, patience, and readiness.

Begin today to cultivate a deep hunger and expectation for spiritual revival in your heart and community. Join with others in earnest prayer, dedicating time to seek God’s presence and preparing yourselves to receive his refreshing power.