What is it that is preventing revival from occurring? Right here and now? I know God wants to move…at least all I understand of Scripture indicates that. So what is it that hinders God’s hand? As I have read accounts of previous revivals and biographies of evangelists, it would seem the problem is us…the people of God. We are the ones who will not allow the Spirit to move, in spite of numerous revival services taking place at churches in our area! Here is what I mean to say. In most, if not all, of the great revivals, laity (even more than clergy) played a major part. Every move of the Spirit was preceded by fervent prayer for revival…not by preachers alone, but by the laity. Are you praying for revival…fervently? Visitation…that is visiting from house to house, witnessing to and inviting others to Christ. Have you witnessed to anyone lately, planting seeds of revival? Evangelistic preaching with conviction played a major role in revivals past. I guess this is directed toward the preachers first, but I also think every one of us needs to possess conviction in our words for the Lord. Finally, open-air preaching, or street preaching, was used to reach the lost in many revivals of the past. I know they may not have had the buildings we have today, but too often the church today hides behind their walls instead of making their presence known in the community. I realize there is no “one-size-fits-all” textbook plan for revival…the Spirit moves as the Spirit wills, though a "Revival For Dummies" would be a great book to have at times. I also know we cannot produce revival at will…it is solely the work of the Holy Spirit…but we sure can hinder revival.
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