Revival doesn’t just happen by chance; it is a holy endeavor that is pursued through prayer, fasting, and time diligently spent in the Word of God. Revival in a church usually follows a tragedy or some catastrophic event. Why? Generally, because a situation like that brings a church's life back into focus. The word revival only occurs one time in Scripture. After the children of Israel had been exiled into captivity and then some were released to come back to their native land, a prophet named Ezra saw that the laws of God, and even God Himself, had been completely ignored. He called the people back to God and to His holy Word, back to a life of surrender to Jehovah, the One True God. Ezra said, “And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage” (Ezra 9:8). Amid the chaos, God was still with them and longing to revive them; longing to awaken them to their sin and need for repentance. Real corporate repentance is where revival begins in a church. Then it moves into the community and, as we have seen in our nation’s history, from there it can reshape the spiritual landscape throughout the country. True revival will result in personal and public transformation, increased passion for worship, and a deeper desire to share one’s faith with others. Do you want revival in your life? In your church? Fast and pray that God would first revive you. Then ask the same for your family, your friends, and your church. Fast, pray, and watch God do a wonderous work in both you and your church.
