Fourteen years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. The doctor ordered three months of rest following my surgery. The future seemed very unclear, and darkness attempted to fill my spirit. Yet, those months of suffering became the source of the greatest revival of my Christian life. I discovered that where great sorrow lives, God’s amazing grace also abides.
God met me at the point of my pain, revived my spirit, and thrust me into a harvest that I never dreamed possible. And I’m convinced that what transpired in my life is possible on a macro scale around the world.
We may be on the precipice of the greatest revival in the history of the church! Let me share with you the observations of two men from a past generation who had a heart for and deep understanding of revival: Roy Hession, author of The Calvary Road, a classic on personal revival, and the late Dr. Roy Fish, distinguished professor of evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
I had the privilege of hearing Mr. Hession speak on the subject of revival before he passed. He made an interesting statement, “Many people think that revival is the top blowing off. No, revival isn’t the top blowing off. It’s the bottom falling out. When the bottom falls out, we have no other place to look – but upward to God!”
Several years ago, I shared the platform with Dr. Fish at a Louisiana statewide conference on spiritual awakening. During a question and answer session, Dr. Fish was asked, “Do you think that revival is possible in America?” Dr. Fish’s response gave the audience great hope, “America is in a very dark place,” he said. “We seem to be hopeless. And that is the hope for revival in America. The great historical revivals have always taken place on the darkest nights.”
Darkness seems to be covering the Earth at an unprecedented rate. Covid-19 has spread and continues to mutate. It has left scientists and politicians baffled. The darkness from this disease knows no boundaries and has impacted families of every race, ethnic group, and nationality.
I spoke recently to a group of pastors in Indonesia. Both my translator and I lost our brothers to Covid-19 two weeks ago. It was amazing to see God’s grace at work in and through us at this moment of hurt. Suffering can cause us to focus more on eternal things. It stimulates us to live with a sense of urgency and proclaim the good news of God’s love. Life is short. Death is near. Heaven is real. Hell is horrible. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and Christ in you really is the hope of glory!
As darkness encompasses the world, God longs to shatter it with the light of His glory! This could be the moment. It could be the time when He pours His Spirit upon His church. It could be a season of the greatest awakening in the history of the church. It’s time to pray. The hour is late. The need is great. The church must cry to God for revival.
That’s why leaders from several major Christian networks have come together to host the Heart-Cry for Revival Online Conference from February 24–26. Leaders from the National Day of Prayer, the US National Prayer Committee, the Collegiate Day of Prayer, Life Action Ministries, American Family Radio, Sammy Tippit Ministries, and Harvest Prayer Ministries have joined forces to issue a clear call for revival to the church in America.
We invite you to join us for this three-day online conference. You can register HERE. There’s no cost to register, and you receive access not only to the live streaming of the plenary sessions but also to all the online workshops.
Let’s pray together. Let’s cry to God for revival. During these dark days, there’s only one place to look – UP!
