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Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6
Perhaps you have heard the recent news from Asbury University about the spontaneous ten day revival in the chapel. It is such an inspiring story to hear. One student came forward to the alter at the end of what was to be a two-hour chapel service. He approached the alter, confessed and prayed. His friends soon joined him. The praise and prayer continued. Days spread into weeks. Thousands made the pilgrimage to the small town of Wilmore in Kentucky. We listened and watched in amazement. Although we have prayed for revival in our country, this was unexpected. Led by teens, young college adults, and then people of all ages, the revival continued until, for safety reasons due to the size of the crowd, the university and the town requested to end the two-week long revival.
Something else happened. As the worshippers returned to their own towns and schools, additional revivals continued to spring up across the country. How long will this movement last? No one can say. Is this the revival we Christians have been praying for?
It seems clear in past years our country has been undergoing the apostasy predicted in the Bible, or the great falling away of faith. One only needs to turn on the news to see evidence of this. Not only does Christianity seem to be fading, but in many places and circumstances, the expression of Christianity is prohibited. And what we have read about happening in other countries, people being jailed or persecuted for their faith, also appears to be going on in some areas of the United States.
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Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
There is a more important revival needed to fuel the revival of our country: the revival of our own hearts. It has been easy to sit back and be complacent. Thoughts such as, “One person can’t make a difference,” or, “That won’t work here,” clog our minds. So we must turn to the Spirit and ask for help with our own hearts. We can no longer remain tired in our own faith. Speaking first with the Father, then examining our own hearts, will help the revival continue. While we may not all have a revival happening in a chapel, a church, or an auditorium, we can most certainly promote a revival or our own heart.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
Reading Scripture, worship, and prayer, will provide us with the needed strength to revive our own hearts. And when our hearts are full, we can turn to others and, one person at a time, continue the revival. Speaking to one person at a time, having fellowship with other Christians, and teaching our own children and grandchildren about our faith, will keep the momentum going and spur the revival.
All books and devotionals by Terry Overton can be found on Amazon.
Books especially for promoting the Christian faith in children: