How does revival come?

Dear all,I've been away from the site for some weeks, had the blessing and priviledge of the Lord correcting me and allowing me to get back in focus.I remember someone post: "If God doesn't send revival, I'll die."Sometimes, when I'm conscious of it, I realise how desperate—if where you're from is anything like Kenya—our collective need for revival is.But how does that revival come?I don't know for sure.This is the extent of my knowledge;I wonder if pointing out false doctrines, teaching and ministers brings revival, doesn't it just diagnose the sickness not bring the healing?I wonder if getting mad at the lukewarmness works (I did that and lost my focus on Christ, who sanctifies me).Shouldn't we just begin to pray.Yup, just pray.Pray in accordance with God's promises of revival:For a moment stop looking at what the enemy is doing, the lies, the lukewarmness, the sin.And instead look at what God says and pray God's promises down.Pray against error—if this guy is preaching false doctrine get the facts out to the forum and let's just pray!"Lord, shut him up!"Doesn't God still answer prayer according to His will?The little I've learned about revival is that God moves in answer to prayer, and not because of the worthiness of those who recieve it.I'm not pointing any fingers. I just remember Duncan Campbell saying something to the effect that he was sorry for those who hadn't experienced revival.The Lord helping me, I don't want to be one of them.

I remember someone post: "If God doesn't send revival, I'll die."Isn't that the main point of revival? You can't be revived if your still alive.Sometimes, when I'm conscious of it, I realise how desperate—if where you're from is anything like Kenya—our collective need for revival is.It is not our need of revival but the lost around us.Revival is not hundreds being saved, but the Church coming alive, and the result of that is the hundreds being saved.I hope I made some sence.

I think pray is one absolutly curcial part of revival, but Moriah makes a good point about revival coming to awake a dead church. The result salvation for the lost. I think the following quote puts it well. I also think this is much of the reason we don't see any real revival. Who really wants a revival at the price it is going to cost?"To the church a revival means humiliation, a bitter knowledge of failure, and an open and humiliating confession of sin on the part of her ministers and people. It is not the easy and glowing thing many think it to be, who imagine that it fills the empty pews, and reinstates the Church in power and authority. IT COMES TO SCORCH BEFORE IT HEALS; it comes to rebuke ministers and people for their unfaithful witness, for their selfish living, for their neglect of the Cross, and to call them to daily renunciation, to an evangelical poverty, and to a deep and daily consecration. This is why a revival has ever been unpopular with large numbers within the Church. Because it says nothing to them of power such as they have learned to love, or of ease, of success; it accuses them of sin, it tells them that they are dead, it calls them to awake, to renounce the world, and to follow Christ." "Revivals: Their Laws and Leaders" by James Burns

I'll never forget hearing a tape of a sermon called "Revival: God's finger pointing at me." by Lou Sutera, a revival leader in Canada in the seventies. It caused me to ask God to show me what needed changing in my life. That is where revival begins. I asked God to do whatever it took. I was amazed at how far off track I was. A lot of the old self still needed crucifying. I was affected by my culture far more than I realized. I still pray that God would continue working revival in me, because I have no idea what yet of my old nature still rules, and what faulty thinking lurks in my mind. When God has us where he wants us to be, then he can use us the way he wants. There's no point in praying for revival without laying ourselves on the altar first. That is the best offering we can give for the cause of revival.Then God will also help us to know how to pray. Diane

I agree revival begins with the church, and so there has to be piercing, exposing and confrontation of sin and slumber.But it's easy to say things.It's far harder to agonise over them in the closet.It's ever harder to maintain that broken attitude that runs to Father and gets His audience.But someone living in error will not listen to us, but he'll listen to God. Our words may be on point, but again they don't listen to the correctness of our words, they listen to the Holy Spirit's unction upon our words.Where does that unction come from?It's good to point out error, it's good to point out the slumber and the sin. It's good to warn and admonish.But if this doesn't lead us to prayer, what good is it?But if it isn't led by prayer, what effect will it bring?How sincere is it?Rev Carter Conlon opens a series on the letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation by saying something to this effect "When Christ comes, he's able to see what we don't see. He's able to rightly judge the truth and error, for nothing is hidden from His eyes."All I'm saying is we can't do it in our strength. I spent 3-4 months sending e-mails to over 50 people. I was getting pieces of the deep sermons and the things God was doing in me.All I got was "I really need to look at my life"I will not speak for God, but if there was unction, I mean the real thing, there would be changes.If we live lives and pray prayers that get an audience with God, what would hold revival back?Would a few people preaching error?Would people so bound up they don't know the way out, hold God back?It's rhetoric, but I can only testify to what God did in my life and the stories I've heard about revival. When reivial comes, no-one's prepared except those praying for it.And even those praying are barely prepared. God came and did something in my life, and I wasn't looking for it.I'm still learning, and I believe that as the Spirit moves I'll learn more from your contributions.Sometimes things typed seem rude—the meaning gets carried without emotions.All this said with love,Richard

Ways to revival.Repentence and prayer for ones self. The same in the body of the church.Asking for gods mercy on the saved and unsaved and that he might pour out his grace.I always ask for mercy and his grace for everyone or thing that I pray for.Praying back to him scripture that he brings before us to ourselves and as a church, while waiting on him.Worshiping with all our hearts our awesome God.The prayer I pray, for all the people that God shows me in a day. I have been praying this for four years for many strangers in the street.Father God I ask that you would have mercy upon that person and that by your Grace they would come to know you.I ask that the Holy Spirit would redeem them, from the darkness unto the light of the Lord Jesus and that he would so shine his light upon them, that they would see his glory and majesty and know their redemption in him. AmenAnd then I follow that with worshiping God in my heart.Sometimes I pray a little more however I am led.ellie

Revival begins in the hearts of those who realize how far short of the mark their current circumstance is. When our heart cries out that our life is not properly aligned.When our heart cries out that our local assembly is not hungry enough.When our heart cries out that our city or town is not being impacted the way G_d’s heart desires.When our heart cries out that our earthly efforts are simply not enough.When our heart cries out knowing that the lost around us are not protected by the blood that came at so precious a price.When our heart cries out for being in the presence of G_d enough to change us.When we get on our knees, draw a small circle around ourselves and admit that this is where revival starts – we have at least begun.Joel 1:13-20 13 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. 14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, 15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. 16 Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 17 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. 18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. 19 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field. 20 The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Joel 2:12-18 12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Brothers and sisters in Christ,I have never been in a revival, in the sense of a great awakening, so my take is based upon the awakenings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and from Scripture. Blast me if you think I'm way off.The New Testament revival is a reflection of the Old Testament sacrifice that is consumed in holy fire. When we do what He says, the way He says it, the flame will come (Luke 3:16), and it will not be a spark, but it will be a consuming fire. So I am not talking about the salvation of sinners during a service, I'm speaking of a massive movement of God that even the non-Christian press must recognize because of the lasting effects. Psalm 126:2: "then said they among the heathen, the LORD hath done great things for them."I see II Chronicles 7:14's four steps as a must:1) humility2) prayer3) seeking His face4) turning from our wicked waysFruits of these must be the preaching of the gospel, inside and outside the church. During the great awakenings, sinners were converted, but the backslidden were also renewed. Even strong Christians were changed. I understand that we know God, and we can watch people being saved in our church, and God may work among us as we are. But hearing about these awakenings, I must know that something different happened that we have not experienced. Ravenhill descibed it as an Holy Spirit invasion. Finney described it as a clap of thunder. Wesley had people laying unconcious by the hundreds.Regardless of our differing opinions, I think we all agree that an awakening is needed. Notice what was done by the disciples that Jesus honored with His coming. God was obeyed with actions (the colt was retrieved), He was lifted up (placed on the colt), and showed publicly (He rode among the people). Once He arrived in the temple, He began to cast out the evil, just as when the Holy Ghost comes, evil will be cast out."Prepare ye the way of the LORD."

letsgetbusy: I enjoyed reading your post. It has substance.I have been in revivalIn the 90's I saw revival in our church more and more people coming and giveing their lives to Jesus. The move of the Holy Spirit week after week for some Months. With some people the effects did not last. Those who were left were true to God.You see all sorts of things in revival and so prayer and preperation is required of us by God.Being a watchman.We need revival that will last that is why it is neccesary to get in line with God and to be fervent prayers for the world.ellie

Apprehended wrote:When we get on our knees, draw a small circle around ourselves and admit that this is where revival starts – we have at least begun._________I believe that revival, maybe not worldwide, but revival begins in that circle.Recently been listening Dr Michael L Brown's sermons, some of which were recorded during the Brownsville revival. The messages were so painful that I'm being pushed towards going beyond theory.It's very painful to know that there's a whole lot more of God, unfathomable depths of the Spirit not experienced, and if things don't change, never to be experienced.Better to have never know that revival happens, than know and never experience it.For the last 2 days, I've been praying for an audience with God, I don't know how that will go. Because I'm not as desperate as I know I could be.But how can I pray for my church to be on fire if I don't test the flames myself?There a lot of meaningful things being said. May we find grace to meet with God!

I believe that revival, maybe not worldwide, but revival begins in that circle.Recently been listening Dr Michael L Brown's sermons, some of which were recorded during the Brownsville revival. The messages were so painful that I'm being pushed towards going beyond theory. Michael Brown is a truly a man of G_d. People that write him off due to his former association with Brownsville are making a regrettable decision.Michael is a dear brother with a consistent and true message that centers around selling out for G-d, getting the sin out of the camp, go and sin no more, IMPACT YOUR WORLD for YESHUA.Even during the height of Brownsville frenzy, Michael stood firm that the manifestations were about changing the hearts of believers in a manner that would COMPELL them to take the gospel to a lost and dying world. Michael preached about a seven times here in Richmond, VA and I was privileged to be in the congregation for most of them. Michael preached one of the boldest messages I have ever heard. The message was four things that Christians don’t believe. He only made it through two points. 1. Hell 2. HeavenHe obviously wasn’t saying that heaven and hell are not part of our belief structure. The whole sermon focused on the dichotomy between our words and our actions. He contended that if we truly believe in hell, then our lives will be different. That we would live our lives in uncompromised pursuit of keeping people away from such a horrible place. Yeshua taught more on hell than anything else. Hell being a destination of the lost should be constantly on our hearts. The case for heaven was the opposite side of the coin. Reflecting on how much more joyous, caring, giving, patient, humble, polite and loving we would be. If heaven was more real in our beliefs, then we would be radically changed. My small overview of the sermon does not do it justice. Michael Brown does not work from notes, but rather knows the subject he will preach and delivers it in power while pouring out his heart for G_d.Revival truly begins with us meeting with our Father in our prayer closet. Oh how we need to be in G_d’s presence continually. For in His presence we are truly changed and the more we are changed, the more those around us are changed.

Apprehended wrote:Michael Brown is a truly a man of G_d. I don't know much about Brownsville, except what I've read and heard. But Michael Brown's sermons reveal the heart of a man who's willing to confront sin in the church and cry out for revival.I'm thinking of taking a break on listening to sermons—as good as they are— to praying and seeking God.Some research released last year on Kenya is very heartbreaking:•15% of the population attend evangelical churches• The age of 25 and below are a 'lost generation',• 20 tribes yet untouched by the gospel, out of over 51 (there are smaller tribes in a bigger tribal grouping.• Other research done in 2003 says that there are less than 100 known Somali Christians, out of well over 500,000.But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, so I am working, too." John 5:17Jesus therefore answered them, "Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise." John 5:19I know God is at work in Kenya. I'm praying that I may see what He's doing and get involved. Somehow I believe it will be to change those sorrowful statistics.God bless you pilgrims, as you seek God's face in your lands!

Hello sanctified brothers and sisters.This is my first time posting so I'm not sure if I have done it right.How does revival come?by receiing Jesus Christ.We already have revival. Jesus Christ has revived us.Ephesians 2: 5 "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6- And has raised us up together , and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"Colossians 2:13 "And you being dead in your sins and circumcision of your flesh, hath quickened together with him, havin forgiven you all trespasses;"We are revived and now it is our responsibility to keep this fire or revival going.2Timothy 1:6 "Wherefore I put thee in rememberance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."Paul advised Timothy to stir up the gift that is in him. How? living in revival by obeying.1Thessalonians 5:19 "Quench not the Spirit."Quench= to extinguish, cool offHow do we quench or turn off the Spirit?by disobedience.Obedience will allow us to live in revival every second of our lives.Glory to Jesus Christ!!!

Deadtosin wrote:How do we quench or turn off the Spirit?by disobedience.Obedience will allow us to live in revival every second of our lives.Such simple truth, and yet so real!Reminds me of Ravenhill's sermon "No man is greater than his prayer life."Perhaps this is just as incisive, "No man is greter than his obedience"God bless you brother!