A REVIVAL CAN BE EXPECTED WHEN?

Revival is the returning of the Church from all her backslidings into the purity of her first love, and the drawing of sinners out of death into the living hope of the gospel of Christ. A revival can be expected when believers carry a deep, unyielding spirit of prayer, a burden that will not be satisfied until heaven breaks through and God's presence rests among His people. No true revival can come without faith that holds to the promises of God given to those who pray, for prayer without faith is powerless, but faith with prayer lays hold of the answer before it is seen. When the Church bows in humility and repentance, turning to God with a whole heart, the blessing is certain and His power will come in a way that transforms the people and the land. If the presence of God fills His house, the Church will draw the world to His light; but if that presence is absent, the world will draw the Church into its own darkness. The spirit of prayer is a holy state of the soul, a continual longing and sacred urgency for the salvation of the lost until they are brought to the feet of Christ. Nothing joins the hearts of God's people more strongly than the holy work of united prayer, when they lift their voices as one before the throne of grace. When the breath of God revives His Church, sinners are brought to salvation, believers are purified, and the fragrance of Christ spreads through the community. It is not possible for a man to possess true faith without works that testify to its reality, for living faith always bears the fruit of obedience. Without the spirit of prayer, the ministry of even the most gifted preacher will accomplish little, but when clothed in prayer, that ministry will be filled with power and crowned with lasting fruit. Revival is not dependent on a miracle in the sense of being a rare wonder, but is the sure result of God's appointed means when they are used rightly by His people. The Church bears greater responsibility for not being revived than the world bears for not being converted, for the life of the Church is the light of the world. When revival comes, it halts the spread of sin and breaks the influence of the world over the people of God. The supreme calling of the Church is to bring the gospel to the world, and every other interest must submit to this holy mission. If the Church refuses to awaken, her light will be removed, but if she rises in obedience, her influence will shake the world. Prayer is a vital link in the chain of causes that lead to revival, and without it, there can be no lasting work of God among His people. When the Church is without revival, it is because she has learned to be content without it, forgetting that God has called her to live in continual renewal. It is the absence of prayer that keeps the fires of revival from spreading, but when prayer rises, the flame will not be quenched. God has joined the progress of His kingdom to the prayers of His people, and when they cry to Him, He moves in power. When Zion travails in prayer, she will bring forth sons and daughters into the kingdom, and the joy of heaven will be heard in her midst. THE NATURE OF A TRUE REVIVAL Revival is not a miracle, nor dependent on a miracle in any sense. It is a result of the right use of the means God has ordained, as certain and natural in its effect as any other outcome produced when the appointed means are applied. A revival is nothing less than a new beginning of obedience to God. When the Church rises to holiness, the sinner awakens to salvation. Nothing binds the hearts of Christians more strongly than praying together. Never do believers love one another so deeply as when they hear each other pour out their hearts before God in prayer. It is as much the duty of the Church to awake as it is of the firemen to rise from their sleep when a fire breaks out in the night in a great city. Souls are perishing, and the watchmen must not slumber. The spirit of true religion is not the spirit of controversy. Wherever controversy prevails, prosperity in religion withers. The fire of revival cannot burn in the cold winds of strife. In every genuine revival there are always deep convictions of sin, often so piercing that men abandon all hope in themselves and throw themselves entirely on Christ. The reason you do not have a revival is only because you do not truly desire one. A Church content without it will not see it. A revival consists of two parts. As it regards the Church, it is the renewal of her obedience and love. As it regards the ungodly, it is the awakening of sinners to turn to God. Nothing else will restore Christian love and confidence among believers except a revival born of prayer and holiness. Programs cannot do it. Only the Spirit of God can heal division. A revival is the renewal of the first love of Christians, resulting in the awakening and conversion of sinners. When the Church returns to her Lord, the lost are brought home. THE TRUE SIGNS OF REVIVAL Revival is renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians, setting them free to walk in holiness and love. In a genuine revival, backsliders are reclaimed and restored to their first love, and the Church rises from her slumber. Revival presupposes that the Church has sunk into a backslidden state, and a true revival consists in the return of the Church from her backslidings into the power of God. When there is revival, the careless and the indifferent are awakened to a concern for their souls, and those who once felt nothing are moved to cry out for salvation. Revival is nothing more and nothing less than a new beginning of obedience to God. A revival always includes conviction of sin among believers. Before sinners are awakened, the Church must be humbled and cleansed. The state of the Church may be such that no general revival of religion is possible without new measures that rouse her from her lethargy and stir her to prayer. The great revival of religion must always be preceded by a revival of prayer in the hearts of God's people. Prayer is the forerunner of every visitation of the Spirit. There can be no revival without much prayer, and that prayer must be persistent and believing, for God has joined the outpouring of His Spirit to the prayers of His saints. THE ESSENTIALS OF REVIVAL AND HOLINESS A revival of religion presupposes a declension. Where there has been no backsliding, there is no need of revival, but where the Church has fallen, she must be restored. The Church must travail in prayer and in agony for souls, or there will be no conversions. Only the burdened heart that weeps before God can bring forth life. A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. When the people of God return to the Lord, the ungodly awaken to seek Him. Prayer is an essential link in the chain of causes that lead to a revival. Without prayer, the chain is broken and the blessing is withheld. True Christianity is a state of entire consecration to God. Anything less is a denial of Christ's claim over the whole life. The first thing in religion is supreme love to God. Until God has the highest place in the heart, nothing else in religion can stand. The great business of the Church is to reform the world and to put away every kind of sin. This is her holy mission until Christ returns. Holiness is obedience to the law of God written in the heart. It is not an external form but an inward life that loves righteousness. Sin consists in selfishness. Holiness consists in benevolence. The selfish heart lives for itself, but the holy heart lives for God and for others. If the presence of God is in the Church, the Church will draw the world in. When His glory fills the house, the nations will be drawn to His light.