Revival: It All Begins with Prayer

by Marilynn Chadwick

Fervent, persistent prayer always precedes revival.

Revival historians consistently point to what is sometimes called extraordinary prayer. This is united, persistent, and frequent prayer…often for extended periods of time.

The Moravian Revival of 1727 started as a 24/7 prayer meeting that lasted for over 100 years. A group of humble, simple servants who were hungry to see God move. This same Revival gave birth to the most wide-reaching global missionary movement in history.

The Moravians’ fervent prayer deeply affected the personal faith of John Wesley, who said his heart was “strangely warmed” while attending a Moravian Prayer Meeting in London in 1738. It was there he came to understand the true nature of salvation by grace alone and moved from what he called the “faith of a slave” to the “faith of a son.”

Historically, revivals were always sparked by prayer. A British pamphlet on Revival, dated 1859, states, “True revival breathed life into every sphere of society. The Church, the family, personal devotion, witnessed its intense ardor. Fervent, persevering, believing prayer marked these movements.”

Prayer meetings were reported as springing up everywhere from ships at sea to warehouses, marketplaces to workplaces.

What is now being called a revival on the campus of Asbury University in February of 2023 bears some characteristics of historic revivals. Sparked by the reported confession of sin by one student, the prayer gathering eventually lasted over two weeks.

News of the revival largely spread on social media, attended by about 15,000 people each day. By its end, the revival brought 50,000-70,000 visitors to Wilmore, Kentucky, representing more than 200 academic institutions and multiple countries.

As with any revival movement, only time will tell the full story of Asbury.

One thing is for sure. Revival always begins with prayer.

Revival: What is Revival?

by Marilynn Chadwick

The dictionary defines “revival” as “coming back to life” or “increasing in strength or intensity.” An Emergency Room doctor might revive a patient whose heart has stopped. While the word “revival” doesn’t appear in Scripture, “revive” does.

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

Isaiah 57:15b says, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Clearly there are moments where God’s people find themselves in need of restored hope, new life, fresh perspective.

Episodes in the Bible and throughout church history, where Christians are revived, reveal a pattern. These movements were characterized by fervent prayer, repentance of sin, a commitment to holiness, and boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

Unbelievers were saved in vast numbers and entire communities experienced the impact of God’s grace. This often led to dramatic societal changes. Taverns emptied, crime decreased, and marriages were restored. Children were often found at the forefront of historical revival movements.

These same marks of revival are present in the Gospel movements sweeping throughout the world today, especially in the Global South.

Over the next several days, we’ll explore these and other characteristics of revival – a timely discussion in light of what has now come to be known as the “Asbury Revival” on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, KY in February of 2023. Other college campuses across the nation have since experienced their own revival movements as well.

We will be asking this question: If revival is real, then what does it mean for me?

His Final Words: The Goodness of Friday

by David Chadwick

Jesus’s final words came on the heels of two very important days that we in the Christian faith know as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. What made Friday so good? Because the cross secured our eternal life forever!

Thursday and Friday paved the way for Jesus’s last words to be released in power, precision, and purity…paving the way for a future and a hope for all who put their trust in him.

Jesus was arrested at midnight in the Garden of Gethsemane. Note that in that moment, he could have called down a legion of angels (600 to be exact!) to help him. But he didn’t. He had already submitted his life to the will of the Father: death on the cross. He knew he had to drink the cup of God’s anger so we wouldn’t have to do so. Jesus became the atonement for our sins.

Isaiah 53:5 says that the chastisement that brought us peace was upon him!

Think about the next hours of Jesus’s life. Arrested and then graciously saved the ear of Malthus – performing miracles and healing in the midst of betrayal and rejection. Brought before Annas and Caiaphas and falsely and unjustly charged. He was beaten and mocked. Imprisoned for several hours. Brought before Pilate. Lashed 39 times by the Romans, which was often referred to as “intermediate death.”

A crown of thorns crushed down on his skull, mocking him as the king of the Jews. Abused by the crowds as he carried his cross to Golgotha. Nails piercing through his hands. A spear stabbed through his side. Six brutally long hours suffering on the cross. After bearing the punishment and chastisement, Jesus was taken down and placed in a dark and dank tomb!

My dear friends, it should have been our tomb! All of Jesus’s experiences should have been ours! And on top of all of the suffering and punishment for our sins, we also deserve an eternity in hell! We don’t deserve the glory of the Lord apart from Jesus. But he did it all for us out of love. His love for us is SO great!  

Pause for a moment and think to yourself…I am in that tomb with Jesus. There is no hope for me apart from his resurrection power. Might it happen? In the darkness of this moment, do I realize the price he paid for me? Is there a power that can open the prison door and set me free? Might it come soon---in a day, or two, or three? Can I possibly live in hope that my sins are forever forgiven and God truly has a plan and destiny for my life? Now? Forever?

The answer is “YES! Sunday’s coming…!”