We often hear about revival meetings being held, but what exactly does the Bible say about revival? How did the early church approach it, and what lessons about revival can we learn from the Bible?
Revival, in medical terms, refers to bringing someone back to life. In a spiritual context, it means revitalising those who have drifted away from their faith, renewing them with the Spirit of God to reignite His work within them.
Revival is not for non-believers, but for those who have confessed their faith in Christ who is our Risen Lord.
In other words, revival is not for the unsaved but the saved Romans 10:8-10 'But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. '
The Gift of the Holy Spirit is only for those who have repented and submitted to the Lordship and authority of Christ Acts 2:38 'Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. '
Lessons from Day of Pentecost on - Revival
After Jesus was crucified and ascended into heaven, the disciples were joined together in constant prayer, they praised God and were doing that for 10 days before the day of Pentecost - Luke 24:52-53 'Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.'
Luke, who has given us “an orderly account” of the ministry of Christ and the Holy Spirit, mentions this graphically in his Gospel and the Book of Acts.
As they went up into the upper room, “they all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:12-14).
They were soaked in a spirit of prayer and worship on the Day of Pentecost “they were all together in one place” Acts 2:1'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. '
We read of their prayer walk even in Acts 1 and 2 Chapter. - Acts 1:12,14 'Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. '
They joined together and prayed constantly if the revival has to happen.
The Spirit of prayer and worship gripped the disciples even before Pentecost, especially during the last ten days following Ascension.
Acts 2:1-4 'When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. '
Pentecost can be seen as a fresh encounter with God among His people. The experiences and actions of the disciples during the 50 days between the Resurrection and Pentecost offer valuable lessons on how to prepare for revival. If we ready ourselves in these ways, the long-awaited revival will arrive "suddenly"!
Revival Prayer
The importance of prayer as preparation for revival cannot be overstated. This prayer goes beyond simply asking God to send revival; it involves self-examination and confessing our sins. Without holiness, revival cannot happen. Holiness is the key to unlocking God's revival.
No one in this world is perfect. We constantly stumble into sin, much like how we pick up dirt as we walk along a road. Similarly, we become tainted by the sins of the world. The Bible teaches that those who cleanse themselves have the right to inherit God's promises. As Revelation 22:14 says, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city through the gates." When we self-examine, God extends His grace, removes our old self, and renews us for His purposes.
Self-examination - Means we let the Lord turn His searchlight on us and reveal to us our carnality, corruption and casualness in Revelation 2:23 'I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. '
Areas to Self examine -
Is God first in your life or other things first in life that leads to idolatry ?
Are you right with God from your inner heart and consciousness ?
Are you living in Secret Sin ?
Are you guilty of lustful thoughts ? Lustful look’s that leading to Sins of Coveting ?
Are you indulging in Self Praise / Self Justification of yourself more than God ?
Have you neglected your daily quiet time with God ?
Remembering our broken vows before the Lord - Ecclesiastes 5:1-6 'Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? '
Areas to Self examine -
Are you disobedient to his advice ?
Are there any vows thats not fullfilled ?
Do you fail to have fellowship with God’s children ?
Wrongs we have committed against others Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Areas to Self examine -
Are you right with fellow men / women ?
Are there Word of Backbiting ?
Are you involved in Gossip ?
Are the words of the mouth acceptable to God’s sight ?
Are there any empty words spoken against others ?
Do you neglect your duties and responsibilities?
Pride and self righteous - Proverbs 16:5 'The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. ‘
Areas to Self examine -
Are you filled with Pride in heart ?
Is there any hypocrisy in life ?
Have you robbed God in Money, talent and time ?
Have you ever neglected soul winning and evangelism ?
What does this prayer do ?
Prayer leads to true humility because it’s in his presence we realise our nothing- ness and His holiness. This is Isaiah’s commission - Isaiah 6:1-5 'In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” '
Prayer is also an expression of our inability and inadequacy and therefore a pleading for His strength and power Matthew 26:41 '“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” '
God is pleased with such sacrifices, and His fire will inevitably descend upon them. Psalms 51:17-19 'My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.'
As children of new testament, we offer our revival prayer with the spirit & soul of us, unlike the old testament people who offered only the offering of animals.
Examples of Revival
Elijah - Repair the broken altar to have fire of Lord
When Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord, the fire fell. God breaks and makes His men on their knees. - 1 Kings 18:30-32,37-39 'Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord , which had been torn down. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord , and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. Answer me, Lord , answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord , are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord —he is God! The Lord —he is God!” '
Jesus calling to his ministry
When Jesus prayed, Heaven was opened - Luke 3:21-22 'When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” '
Early Chruch Prayer for Revival
When the early Church prayed, the place was shaken.
Acts 4:23-26,29-31 'On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. ’ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. '
Acts 4:11-12 'Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” '
Areas where God can bring Revival
God works with us in small steps to bring about transformation as He revives us. Don’t assume that revival will immediately lead to full-time ministry or that you'll instantly become a powerhouse for God. He has unique plans for each of us. There are many areas where God can bring revival.
Revival of Cleansing souls - God's spotless blood cleanses us and removes sin to save our souls. The sins that once blinded us will be exposed by His light, causing them to flee. When sin is gone, His blessings will flow, and the obstacles that sin created will be transformed into blessings.
Revival of Obedience - God's life was marked by complete obedience to the Father, and that same spirit of obedience will come upon individuals, guiding them to fulfill His will.
Revival of Holy Spirt’s Power - God's Spirit revived the early apostles and established the Pentecostal church. In the same way, there will be a revival that brings the Holy Spirit to those who have not yet received it. For those already led by the Spirit, He will bless them with new gifts, such as speaking in tongues, healing, casting out demons, prophecy, and more, to be used for His kingdom.
Revival of Soul winning & evangelism - God's Spirit will place a burden on our hearts to pray for the unsaved and will empower us with boldness to preach the Word, guiding them toward God's kingdom.
Revival to God’s giving - God's Spirit will renew us, prompting us to freely offer everything to Him—not just our money, but also our time, talents, and all we possess, surrendering it all to be used for His glory.
Revival to God’s calling - God's calling may lead some to serve in part-time ministry by providing opportunities in small areas, while others He may guide into full-time ministry. For some it can be youth ministry, for some it can be worship leading, for some it can be prayer warrior, for some it can be prophesy, for some it can be evangelist, for some it can be to talk and comfort other and lead to God.
We have heard numerous sermons and read many publications about revival, but we have not prayed enough for it. The more we pray for revival, the stronger our desire for it will grow, and the deeper our longing will drive us to pray even more.
As we observe the signs of the end times, we should pray earnestly for revival to renew the Spirit, ensuring that no soul is left unsaved.
Amen