Waves of revival have swept around the world in the 20th century. Today, the five largest churches in the world are Spirit-filled and growing daily. Pentecostals-full gosple baptist-roman catholic-a.of.g-full gosple are increasing in great numbers as worldwide revival brings the life of God to the Church and to all mankind.
The Hebrew word for revive is chayah which means to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, nourish and preserve life, live prosperously, live forever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life and health. According to that definition, revival is not just a one-time shot of life, revival is a continual nourishment, preservation, quickening and restoration to life.
Revival begins when people turn to God. It breaks forth from intercessory prayer and continues when people repent and no longer tolerate sin in their lives.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples returned to the upper room and continued in daily prayer, in one accord, and in one place. Then, at the appointed time, the Holy Spirit burst onto the scene with the sound of a mighty rushing wind. Peter and the others received God’s long-awaited promise of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. Acts 2:17-19 repeats the prophecy of Joel, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of my spirit on all flesh.… And on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out my spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.… I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath…” (New King James Version).
As they moved out into the streets from the upper room, men from every part of the world saw and heard something different. Peter’s great sermon, preached under the anointing of God, brought understanding, conviction of sin and the life of God to those who heard and responded in faith. Prayer, the anointed preaching of the Word, and a supernatural move of God—all working together—brought revival, God’s life-giving power.
Oh, what a time we live in! Destruction and despair may be on one hand, but revival and miracles are on the other. Revival is spontaneous and ongoing. It happens when the Spirit of God moves among people. God never intended for the Pentecostal revival to stop. That is why it is so important to be ready and available as God moves and pours out His Spirit. He can minister life at any moment, to one or to a multitude, to a person in a barren wilderness or to many people in a crowded city.
Revival happens wherever the Word of God prevails. Miracles, signs and wonders happen wherever the Word of God prevails. Hearts and lives are changed wherever the Word of God prevails. The Bible says God works with and confirms His Word with signs following (Mark 16:20). Look in the Word of God and you will find the life that revival brings. If people pray and dig into the Word of God which is life to them, revival will come and remain. Revival will become an ongoing way of life.
As you set yourself in agreement with God’s will for revival, pray the following prayer, or one similar, expecting God to move.
Father God, because You care for Your people and want all mankind to have life, You desire revival. Your revival brings life and nourishment, preservation and restoration. Thank You for sending Jesus to give us Your abundant life.
Lord, start revival in me first. I am Your servant and I place myself in position to receive revival. I feed on the Scriptures as a sheep feeds in green pastures because Your words are life to me. Holy Spirit of God, You raised Jesus from the dead and You dwell in me. So, I yield to You to energize my spirit, restore my soul and rejuvenate my mortal body. I renew my mind with Your Word. In my innermost being is a well of living water and I am revived!
Revival not only is life to me, but life to everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD. Therefore, I intercede on behalf of the people. I call upon You as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I call upon the mighty Name of Jesus. All of mankind needs life, Lord! All of mankind needs revival because it is life—Your life. I speak and sow seeds of revival everywhere I go. I send forth angels to reap the harvest of revival all over the world. I put my hand to the sickle to reap the rich harvest of revival in my home, my church, my community, in the marketplace, on the job, in my country and in all the world. Pour Yourself out on the people. Lord of the harvest, send forth laborers, positioning them in strategic places to minister as You pour out Your Spirit on all flesh. Almighty God, show Yourself mighty and strong with signs and wonders. Holy Spirit, breathe on all the people of the world. I pray this in the Name above all names, Jesus. Amen.
Scripture References: John 3:16-17, 10:10; Proverbs 4:20-22; John 6:63; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 4:23-24; Colossians 3:10; John 4:14, 7:38; Matthew 13:39, 9:38; II Chronicles 16:9; Romans 15:19
