Prayer and Revival

The following was taken from Chapter 16 of my book, The Prayer-Shaped Disciple (Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts, 1998), and shared here in response to the Asbury University Revival presently in progress, and the need for continued prayer.

“Christian history shows a pattern: first concentrated prayer, often prevailing prayer, and then revival. The first Christian revival came as a result of ten days of united prayer. The 120 believers were praying (Acts 1:14), and God added three thousand people to the church (Acts 2:41). The disciples began to pray again (Acts 2:42), and God “added daily” to the church (Acts 2:47). As the disciples continued to pray (Acts 3:1), five thousand more converts were added to the church (Acts 4:4). Continuing further in prayer (Acts 4:31-33), the scripture indicates that “multitudes” were continually being added to the church (Acts 5:14). By A.D. 100, it is estimated that somewhere in the vicinity of 5 percent of the Roman empire had become Christian. This could largely be attributed to the faithful praying of the early church . . . Led by the example of that first Christian revival, whenever revivals have occurred or spiritual awakenings have taken place, their beginnings have been found in the ministries of spirit-filled believers who were also mighty prayer warriors. Often, God has responded to the prayers of believers by sending revival that not only revived the church but awakened society.” In my book, I trace significant revivals and revival movements beginning in A.D. 303 through the mostly collegiate revivals of 1995, illustrating each with examples of prayer for revival.  I then conclude, “If we have another significant spiritual awakening and revival in the world, it will come as God’s people pray, and it will continue as God’s people continue to pray. Prayer and revival are inseparably linked in the Word of God, in the human experience and, in Christian history. Behind all effective revival is regular, faithful prayer.”  So, what about Asbury 2023?  Pray, my friends, pray.