Revival?

As someone who would consider themselves a “Charismatic” Christian, I have always had an image of what I thought revival would resemble. In my mind, revival would, of course, include people coming to know the love of the Father and hundreds, thousands, millions, giving their lives to the Lord, but I also always assumed it would include what Charismatics like myself are used to: prophetic words being spoken, supernatural healings taking place, people falling under the weight of the Holy Spirit, new tongues flowing forth…

But, as I watched the Live Steam of the Asbury University Worship this morning, which has been going nonstop for nearly two weeks, a new reality of what revival would look like hit me. Perhaps, revival is simply placing God back in His rightful place as Lord and worshiping Him as our Father, Guide, Guard, Provider and God. 

We as a society, as a world, have put so many things before the Father. We have elevated countless idols ahead of Him we no longer even know all we’ve normalized as worshiping in our everyday lives. 

As I sit here and listen to the hundreds of voices worshiping the One and Only true God I feel as of this is what God wants more than all else: to be praised, to be honored and to be loved.

We have forced God to take a back seat to so many things yet all He wants is to be a part of our lives, to lead us in the direction towards life and to be loved as He loves us.

Many say this “revival” will spread. I won’t lie, I was hesitant to believe this worship service could possibly be the beginning of the revival we all long for, but as I listen to the acoustic guitar and watch people of every race, creed, and color raise their hands to the Father, I can’t help but yearn for this kind of submission, this kind of simple celebration and longing, to come to my city.

Lord, keep your fire burning, may your river of living water spread throughout a dry, thirsty, and desperate land. Flow over your children like never before. May we feel your love for us like a physical weight, and, Lord, more than all else, may we elevate you to your rightful position as Lord, Savior and only true King over our lives, our hearts and our world. 

May the Lord be praised, forever and ever.

Amen.

“Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the name of the Lord! Praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord!”
–Psalm 135: 1