Heart cry for Revival

By Peter Crause

Isaiah 64:1 Oh that you would tear open the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might flow down at your presence,

Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he will come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth.

Revival and restoration are identical in scope. Revival is restoring something to its original state of life and vigor. Revival is breathing new life into what has gradually waned and died. Revival as it relates to the Church; which is or should be the heart cry of every born-again child of God; is bringing the church back to the Biblical norm of vibrancy that will make it the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” once again.

Many rest in complacency; accepting what is as normal; not wanting to “rock the boat”; relegating the “Book of Acts” to the historical happenings 2000 years ago. Because we don’t see or hear of the mighty acts of the Lord in our midst today, we are content to say; “God did it once. He can do it if He chooses. However, that was in the past and we cannot expect it now.” It has always been a pattern amongst God’s people that carnality and walking without the Lord leads to spiritual “deadness”; while repentance and turning to God for renewal leads to revival and restoration of power and purpose.

Do we need revival? If we are contented and cannot answer positively to this question, then this exhortation is not for you!

What are some signs that are evident around us and should indicate it is time for revival? What conditions prevail? What is the moral tenor of church and society? Is the “fear of the Lord” evident? Are the “Ananias and Sapphira” hypocrites swiftly dealt with by the Lord? I think any clear thinking believer when looking at the answers to these questions must admit – WE NEED REVIVAL!

For too long the saints have been “pew warmers” and not active productive members of the body of Christ. This is not a “whip lashing” of the believers, but an exhortation for the pastors and elders of the churches to re-assess their function and mission in ministry. I believe it is still the place of church leaders to “bring the saints to maturity for the work of the ministry.” A healthy flock of sheep produce healthy lambs. The flock’s health is the responsibility of those who are overseers to them. Of course; the responsibility of the flock is not to sit back and do nothing; but they should be actively in prayer for their leaders. For too long we’ve accepted mediocrity.

A word of caution is in order here – revival is powerful! Some of the side-effects may be undesirable to many. Sin and death is ugly – when life returns; sin and death become more apparent; what we accepted as normal before will begin to appear most undesirable. Hypocrites and “hangers-on” will find it very uncomfortable in the presence of the living God. Sinners and the world will quake and hate the Church – because their sinful ways are being manifested. To the unsaved, revival power is awesome and something to fear greatly.

Our scripture in Isaiah demonstrates this as the prophet’s prayer. How my heart cries out for this – that God would tear open the heavens and descend and that the earth and mountains melt and flow like volcanic lava. Awesome; fearful; powerful and earth shattering! How would such a demonstration affect mankind? I believe it would once again restore the “fear of the Lord.” In the early church, when God struck Ananias and Sapphira down, great fear came on all – and no one merely “joined the church” because it was the “in thing” to do. It purified the Church – fire purifies! The unsaved removed themselves.

For the true child of God; He comes as the gentle former and latter rain; cleansing refreshing rain. The sweet presence of the Holy Spirit poured forth upon His people; bringing growth and fruitfulness to a dry and thirsty land. How we need that “latter rain!” Not a manifestation of foolishness, but a manifestation of the reality of the Living God! Revival with a new commitment to discipleship and a new call to evangelism – a fresh sense of the Divine Presence – is what is sorely needed.

Can we pray for revival? Of course we can! Should we pray for revival? Absolutely! Can we expect revival? Yes! Yes! Yes! As we pray and seek the Lord, revival will start in us – and then spread like wildfire to those we interact with.

Do you want revival? Let us begin asking the Lord to come down and melt the hills and mountains of sin, corruption, disease, violence, unrighteousness and evil. Let us begin to implore His sweet Divine Presence come to us as the gentle, refreshing, life-giving rain.

Father – we need to be revived! We are so tired of the mediocrity that has crept into our midst; so unsatisfied with program and human ingenuity. We need a fresh move of your Divine Spirit – a new anointing. We need and long for the melting of our proud selves as we sense Your Presence – humbling us and making us meet for your use. Lord! Please send a revival – and start the work in me!

Evan Roberts of Welsh Revival fame had a watchword for the move God produced through this humble man:

“Bend the Church and save the world.”

May we also be willing to bend at the Master’s feet and see what God can do!