One of the things about church that I remember from my childhood is the revival services that we had.  It’s hard to find someone my age or older that doesn’t remember them.

Sometimes I didn’t like going to the revival services every single night, but I always gained something from them.  We would pray for the church and for our friends who didn’t know Jesus yet.  We sang uplifting music.  We heard sermons that challenged and often convicted us.  It was always a special time, and we often saw God do wonderful things.

That was a long time ago.

When I became a pastor, I still held revival services.  Sometimes God moved mightily, but as the years passed, we saw fewer things happen.  That coincided with fewer people participating and fewer people spending time in prayer.

Today, many churches never hold those special services.  They have many reasons (excuses), but clearly things have changed.

However, look at the world around us.  Crime is rampant.  Killings are too regular.  Things that the Bible says are not holy are now applauded by many in our country. Drug and alcohol abuse is common.  And there are fewer people active in churches than ever before.

Things definitely have changed – but not for the good.

We need revival!

People are still looking for answers, but most Christians tend to keep the ultimate answer to themselves.

God is moving powerfully in many places in our world but not as much in America.  And it’s obvious why.  We need revival!

Long ago, when Israel dedicated the Temple, God spoke to King Solomon.  He said in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

That message echoes what the Bible says elsewhere.  God’s people must humble themselves and seek God’s movement, God’s intervention, and God’s blessing.

Tim Grissom and Nancy DeMoss wrote a great book on seeking revival…