Revival

This article originally appeared on EveryStudentSent.org

What is revival?

Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer.

Perhaps you are in need of personal revival if:

• You’ve lost interest or focus on being a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
• The things of the world (school, career, material things, entertainment, sports, parties, approval of others) are a higher priority to you.
• You’re captivated and focused on other relationships more than your relationship with God.
• You’ve neglected your relationship with God by replacing prayer, reading your Bible, going to church or campus ministry meetings with other things.

We talk a lot about our desire to see and experience revival, but are we willing to roll up our sleeves and lay aside every distraction, and seek God intently with all our heart?  I believe if we will resolve to seek him, we will see a movement of revival.

Start by dedicating some time to prayer and seeking God. Ask him to revive your soul – to breathe new life into you. Then ask a friend or two to join you in prayer. During your times of prayer, share about what God is doing in your life. The word of your testimony could be the reason someone comes to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, or that revival is sparked.

John 4: 39-42(NIV) – “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Look what God has done throughout the years at Asbury University. As you read through this, I want you to think about how God could use you and your friends to start revival at your high school or college campus. What steps are you willing to take today, this week?

Asbury University has been known through the years for its history of great revivals. There have been several occasions when significant moves of the Holy Spirit have swept the campus and reached across the nation.

• In February 1905, during a blizzard, a prayer meeting in the men’s dormitory spilled out to the rest of campus and the town of Wilmore.
• In February 1908, revival broke out while someone prayed in chapel; the revival lasted two weeks and was signified by prevailing prayer and intercession.
• In February 1921 the last service of a planned revival lasted until 6 a.m., and services were extended for three days.
• In February 1950 a student testimony led to confessions, victories, and more testimonies. This went on uninterrupted for 118 hours and became the second leading news story nationwide; it is estimated that 50,000 people found a new experience in Christ as a result of this revival and witness teams that went out from it.
• In March 1958 revival began in a student fasting prayer meeting that spilled over into chapel and lasted for 63 hours.
• There are more occasions of revival at this campus. You can read more about it at https://www.asbury.edu/academics/resources/library/archives/history/revivals/

You could be the reason revival breaks out on your campus. God is looking for willing individuals who will be intentional and committed to seeking him. The question is, are you willing.

Scriptures to Ponder:

• Romans 13:11-12 (AMP) –  ^“Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]. The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.”
• Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP) – ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’
• Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP) – “Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

 As long as we are content to live without revival, we will.

~ Leonard Ravenhill

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your unwavering mercy and grace that has been extended to me. Forgive me for replacing you with other things including the busyness of life. As I set aside time to seek you with all of my heart, revive me again and breathe new life into my soul. Amen