More than a pep rally

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A nation is ripe for revival whenever believers grow dissatisfied with their spiritual condition and, simultaneously, nonbelievers have a mounting fear of the future. Thus, we may be on the cusp of a fresh move of the Spirit.

If revival is imminent, let us pray it resembles Acts 2 and 3. The Holy Spirit was demonstrated in the lives of believers by newfound boldness in evangelism (Acts 2:14-40), faith and miracles (Acts 3:1-10), and unity and compassion (Acts 2:42-47).

Revivals since the Azusa Street outpouring in the early 1900s have certainly been characterized by boldness in evangelism, miracles and enthusiastic worship. But outreach to the poor, broken and suffering has been emphasized on a very limited scale.

In the Book of Acts, the testimony of compassion was critical to the lasting impact of the Early Church. Outreach was also prevalent at Azusa Street.

We don’t need a spiritual pep rally that merely exhilarates us. We need an Upper Room-like revival that spills into the streets and rescues the lost and dying. We need an authentic move of God that calls us to repentance, empowers us for service, and deploys us — in the name of Jesus — to meet the physical and spiritual needs of a desperate world.

Many of us need to experience a personal revival. We cannot wait to be swept up in a national movement. We need something more from God now. We lack strength, courage, wisdom and compassion.

We need to get alone with God and, with desperation in our voices, pray, “Lord, I need more of You. I am weary; I’m beaten; I’m dry in my spirit; I’m apathetic; I need greater compassion for the lost and suffering. I need something more than what I have.”

That is a prayer He will answer. Not only will we receive a fresh touch, but we’ll also be used by the Spirit to usher others into revival.

Hal Donaldson

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