Holy Spirit Revival Begins with Prayer

Revival can start from a small seed, like a prayer meeting. The prophet Zechariah asked: "Who despises the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10). We often downplay what we can do so much that we end up not doing anything at all. The enemy may whisper that our small efforts for God won't make a difference, but big things can come from small actions in our mighty God's hands. When we dedicate our time, energy, and resources to God, He can multiply the results. As a commercial fisherman on England's east coast, I learned long ago that you can't steer a stationary boat. You only need a small rudder to guide a moving vessel. When we offer our time, talents, and money to God, He can add and multiply what we give, even if it’s just five loaves and two fish. Small acts done with great love can change the world!

When I read about revival and the Holy Spirit's moving in power, the main features have been a lot of prayer and unity among Christians and churches. This spirit of unity is exactly what we see before the Holy Spirit's arrival on the Day of Pentecost:

¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers (Acts 1:12-14, Emphasis added).

We can easily overlook the phrase "joined together," but spiritual power is given when we are like-minded with others about anything we ask of God. Author Lloyd Ogilvie writes:

I have always felt that Pentecost did not happen due to a date on a calendar but in response to reconciliation among the disciples. There were deep tensions among the disciples during and after Jesus' ministry. Until they were together on their knees, fully open to God and each other, the Holy Spirit could not be given.^[1]

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit during revival is similar to what God did in the revival in the Hebrides, the Great Awakening with Charles Finney, and certainly with the Argentine Revival. They sought God through persevering prayer and unity of heart. We often underestimate the power of prayer and waiting on God, which involves being receptive and expectant. After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus did not send the apostles out immediately to preach. Instead, He instructed them to wait on God.

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49; emphasis added).

They must not get ahead of God. Jesus told the disciples to wait until they received the power of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father. The Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit came and filled them, was 50 days after Passover. The Resurrection of Christ occurred three days after Passover, which means they had to wait another 47 days before the Holy Spirit was poured out and they could go and preach the kingdom of God. Why the wait? Why wasn't the Holy Spirit poured out on the disciples sooner? The waiting period was crucial to their empowerment and being clothed with the Spirit. Often, we try to rely on our own strength and do not wait for God's power and guidance. We are meant to depend on the Holy Spirit. He isn't just an emotional feeling we stir up; instead, we need to be available and expectant of what God will do. That’s a good message for all of us today. Keith Thomas

Jesus said there are four conditions to receiving more of the Holy Spirit; they can be found in the more in-depth study at the following link: Revival Comes to the Thirsty.

^[1] Lloyd John Ogilvie, Drumbeat of Love (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1976), Page 20.