I have spent some time the past couple of weeks praying for the revival or awakening or really long chapel service at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky. I have prayed for revival off and on over the years, but I have never really given much thought to what it actually IS that I was praying for.
I have a strong sense that our culture improves from the bottom up. It is only as people have hope, purpose, a reason to love, and a reason to live that our culture flourishes and moves from darkness to light. Our society will not flourish on the backs of the right politicians, the right laws, or the right education.
My hope for our culture to improve is placed firmly in the need for more people filled with the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ through the gospel.
And this makes me wonder if the things that make for a revival are not merely the ordinary things that God calls us to. He wants us to recognize His holiness. He wants us to repent (to turn from sin and turn to Him). He wants us to praise Him with enthusiasm. He wants us to tell others about the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ.
The need for revival and awakening is only found where Christians have surrendered those things for the love of the world. And I wonder if this is not the reason that our culture is ripe for a return to those things that matter most. I am praying for an awakening because I think we need it!
I can see in my own heart a straying in seasons from the things that matter most.
I have heard many people say that time will tell if this was a real revival. I think that is true, because the darkness of our current moment in human history is in need of some of the light of truth.
So let’s consider where we stand in regard to our love for God, our recognition of His holiness, repentance as we seek to turn for sin, and let’s renew our passion to reach the lost with the gospel. And if the Lord is in these things, it can only spell good for the world around us.
Would you join me in praying for personal revival!?
