Christian spiritual revival movements and practices

Christian Spiritual Revival

From the time of creation rivals have been the greatest force in history. Through revival human beings are brought out of darkness to live in the light. Revival in the Christian life is essentially a renewal of heart; a time of turning away from sin, which brings death, and a turning toward Jesus, who brings life. The word revival means to "live again," derived from two Latin roots re- (again), and vivere (to live). Just as an EMT zaps the heart of his patient back to life with a surge of electricity, so to the Holy Spirit works in the life of individuals, and, at times, in whole Christian Communities to bring the back lost vitality; reawakening faith in God, and restores one's commitment to being His disciple. This paper will briefly explore four condition of an authentic spiritual revival found in II Chronicles 7:14, and comment on these conditions in reference to modern examples of revival throughout the world.

An excellent example of revival prayer is found in King Solomon's plea to God for renewal. Solomon prays to God, on his knees with hands raised to heaven, and begs the Lord to restore his people. God answers Solomon's fervent prayer by saying: "If my people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."[footnoteRef:1] God's answer is conditional. He uses an if - then statement. If His people do four things: humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from sin, then God will forgive their sins and heal the land. In other words, God will bring them back to life both spiritually and physically. These conditions, and God's promise of restoration, are universal. They apply to individuals as well as communities, and they apply as much in modern times as they did in the time of Solomon. [1: II Chronicles 7:14, New Revised Standard ]

The first two conditions for revival are humility and prayer. The word "humility" is derived from the Latin word humus, which means earth or ground. To be humble, then, suggest lowering oneself, toward the ground. It is necessary for revival because in making oneself, and one's opinions, lower or less important, one recognizes the One who is higher -- namely, Almighty God. After humility, prayer naturally follows. A great example of humility and prayer today comes from John Hamilton, a Texas Ranger outfielder, who recently admitted that his addiction to drugs and alcohol came about because he "took God out of first place."[footnoteRef:2] Now in recovery, Mr. Hamilton shares his story and tells people, "when you fail, God wants you to respond to it by coming to Him and asking for help."[footnoteRef:3] [2: Audrey Barrick, "Josh Hamilton Tells Megachurch 'God First,'" The Christian Post (November 8, 2008), http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101108/josh-hamilton-tells-megachurch-god-first (accessed November 2010).] [3: Ibid.]

The next two conditions for revival are seeking God and repentance. In order to live again, God says that one must seek his face and turn from their wicked ways. These two conditions show one motion, a turn, which has two effects. It calls the soul to turn away from evil and toward good. The revival of career criminal, Mark Rowan, sheds light on the awesome power of such a turn. According to his autobiography,[footnoteRef:4] Rowan led a dark life of crime and lawlessness until one day he came to Christ. He now leads hundreds of people to Christ through his dynamic testimony of faith. [4: Mark Rowan, Condemned: The Transformation of a Violent Gang Leader, (Monarch Books, 2008)]