“At Times of Crisis, Revival is Near” | 310 | Report 28

“Undoubtedly, this is a time of ‘crisis’ for Europe – both within the church and outside it – but as Europe’s history has often shown, at times of crisis, ‘revival is very near.’” These were the words of Niek Tramper, General Secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance, speaking to young Christians at Mission Net on December 29th, 2011.

On the one hand some European churches appear to be in almost terminal decline, whereas others are seeing extraordinary growth. He highlights the spread of churches established by
immigrants from former mission fields (especially Africa), and also the church planting movement, and signs of new growth in established churches.

“But,” he continued, “real, genuine love … love cannot be replaced with activities. You share the love of Christ in your day to day living… Faith is not about convictions or feelings, but we have to live it and be sure about it, not hesitating with this truth about what God has done.”

Source: Christian Today

BIBLE STUDY: John 5:16-23

PRAISE: God that He intervenes when we have nothing more to rely on. Pray for revival in Europe.

Is a New Revival Stirring in Wales? | 310 | Report 19

In times past the mighty winds of revival in Wales often stirred other nations until they too caught the fire. A mere Century ago revival spread from Wales across parts of Europe, Scandinavia, much of Africa, India, Asia and Australasia. Today the Land of Revivals is stirring again, possibly to an extent not seen for several generations.

Stories are arising across Wales of God doing wonderful things in peoples’ lives. Beautiful testimonies are emerging, Jesus is being glorified and the Holy Spirit seems to be moving in every
corner of the nation. Retreat Centre and House of Prayer Ffald-y-Brenin cannot cope with the number of visitors coming to pray, so that Bed and Breakfasts are full of those who come up to
pray during the daytime. People are pouring in from around the world and leaving carrying increased blessing. Elsewhere across Wales people are suddenly finding that the simplest prayers suddenly lead them into the very presence of our life-changing God. Home-based Houses of Prayer are multiplying, both singly and in networks. 24-hour is being raised up across the Land.

Synergy is the launch newsletter of Prayer4Wales. Their cry is to, “raise up an army to call on the name of the Lord and see mercy flow through our nation once more and the songs of the delivered echo through the hills.” So, if you’re longing for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, keep your eyes on Wales!

Source:Prayer4Wales; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Habakkuk 3:2

PRAISE: God that there is a powerful stirring once again in the “land of revivals.” Pray for Wales that this nation may “stand in awe of God’s deeds.”

Martyred Pastor Sparks Revival | 305 | Report 13

In Maguindanao – the southern Philippine island, a 50-year-old female pastor was brutally murdered while ministering in her Muslim neighbourhood. Editha Junio is still in shock over the horrific murder of her pastor Juliet Catalan and her 10-year-old daughter. “You cannot identify her face because it was so badly hacked,” Junio said.
Pastor Juliet started the house church in this predominantly Muslim area in 2000. Her other daughter, whose identity has been hidden for security reasons, said she warned her mother against building a Christian church in the Muslims’ backyard.
Pastor Juliet’s other daughter, who lives in another town, says she questioned God why He allowed it to happen, but I know there is a purpose why He allowed it to happen,” she said.
“My mother has this saying hanging on the wall. God allows certain amounts of trials in our life but He promised none of it will be wasted,” she said. “He will work things for good and for His glory.” “My mother was prepared and God has prepared me,” she continued. “I miss them because they are all I have, but I know one day we will all be together again.”
This church hold on to the faith for which Pastor Juliet died – they have joined other Christian fellowships, and just like the early Christians who were dispersed because of persecution, her death has allowed them to spread the Word of God to other places and reach more unbelievers. Junio said. “It is not only the blood of Christ but also the blood of Pastor Juliet that compels us to go and spread the good news of salvation through Christ for people to be saved, especially the Muslims.”

CBN News; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Romans 8:28

PRAISE: God that the blood of martyrs is the seed of strength and advance of the “suffering church.”

North Korean Church Seeks Revival | 302 | Report 30

In North Korea, it is illegal to be a Christian. A person found to be a believer is sent to hard labour camps or sometimes even publicly executed. In fact there are reports of the recent execution of 6 North Korean pastors.
However, according to sources close to the North Korean Church, the number one request of North Korean believers is for Christians worldwide to pray for them and for a spiritual revival in their country.
In January, North Korea was named the world’s top persecutor of Christians for the eighth straight year by Open Doors’ World Watch List. As many as 60,000 Christians are currently in prison labour camps because of their faith.

Source: Christian Today

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 4:23-31

PRAISE: God for the faith of our beleaguered brothers and sisters. Pray, indeed, for revival!

Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [36]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [36]

We are coming to the end of our series of talks on revival. What have we learnt throughout this series? Well, if God has quickened you to feel a greater urge to pray for revival I shall feel part of the job has been done. As we saw some weeks ago, the prayer of a Christian who sees the need in his own heart and the great need around him should be: “Lord, give me a hungry heart.” Jesus said, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 6:6). It is those who seek God with all their heart who find Him, Jeremiah tells us in chapter 29:13. It is in this seeking of God with all our hearts where a personal revival can begin.

The second important lesson that I hope has been brought home to your heart is the feeling of the need of the world of those who are unsaved around us. We were reminded that the shortest and yet one of the most powerful Scripture in the Bible is the one that simply says, “Jesus wept.” If God in human flesh wept, then we’ll also weep when we understand His heart. One of the trademarks of every time of true revival ever recorded is the gathering of people to weep in brokenness and repentance over their sins, and the blatant sin of the world around. Why? Because sin hurts the heart of God.

The third important lesson that I have tried to put across is that revival requires us to pay a price. The Holy Spirit will ask us to abandon sins, pastimes and practices that had seemed reasonably legitimate before His quickening of our souls. I know of no revival that hasn’t been accompanied by a deep sense of guilt, a repentance of sin, and a puting right of wrongs, followed by a wonderful experience of the peace that is available throught the precious blood of Jesus. The question is, do Christians today really want revival? Are they prepared to accept the alteration to their lives and daily routines that revival will surely bring? Or is this all too much for us comfortable XXi century Western Christians?

We have seen therefore that revival begins in the Church, by bringing backslidden Christians to repentance and a new beginning of obedience to God. And our challenge to God’s people, in the words of the apostle Paul is, “It is time to wake up from our slumber!”. Illustrations from people God used as instruments of revival sowed us that God can work revival through just one individual who is totally committed to Him, hungering for revival, and willing to pay the price in his or her obedience to the revival covenant.

And then we have seen the wonderful effects a revival can produce upon society at large – falling crime rates, abandonement of drunkennes, reconciliation among communities, and solution to the many social ills that our society today is unable to cope with; why? because they are primarily spiritual in nature.

Don’t you long for revival in our midst today? I do, and I trust this series has been helpful to you. God bless and revive us all!

Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [35]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [35]

I want to complete this series of talks on revival by taking a brief look at the kind of things that happen as a result of revival, that is, the effects of revival. In particular, looking at the effects of the Welsh revival of 1904, which are well documented. These effects go far beyond the realm of what may be seen as exclusively “spiritual”. For instance, the huge drop in the crime rate in some areas of Wales made the police and the courts almost redundant, as the prisons emptied. A correspondent for the Liverpool Daily Post reported in December 1904 that there had been no arrests for drunkenness since the revival had started. In the South Wales ports the magistrates were through with their daily business in a fraction of the usual time, private quarrels and assaults had become practically nil.

Bitter divisions in some communities were miraculously healed. For instance one of the South Wales mining journals of the time – The Iron and Coal Trades Review – tells of the bitter feuds that had existed between unionised and non-unionised miners – often they would refuse to share the same cage to descend down to the mines, and would only speak to each other in cursing. By 1905, however, the Journal tells how the revival put an end to this fighting, as these men met together for prayer, all joining in together. The same Journal refers to the loss of their drinking habits saying, “They go home at night sober men without touching a drop of beer or spirits, and, before commencing their work in the morning many of them join together in prayer.” The employers spoke highly of improved productivity.

One N.S.P.C.C. inspector spoke of the effect the revival had on the miss-treatment of children in the mining valleys of Glamorgan. Homes that he had under observation for some time, including some where he had contemplated prosecution, had undergone a complete transformation. He no longer had them under observation, and children were not only now well treated, but better cleaned and dressed. Whereas he had been forced to prosecute in his district at the rate of two a month, since the revival there had been no prosecutions.

To these wonderful effects on society that the Welsh revival had, can be added the loss of interest in worldly pleasures, including football match attendance, dance halls, public houses and the likes, many of which were forced to close. On the other hand, the Bible Society reported a tripling of the sale of Bibles in Wales. The repayment of long-standing debts by those who had been convicted by the Holy Spirit, the fostering of fellowship among denominations by exchange of pulpits and other means, where previously there had been discord and hostility, were other effects of the revival.

Thus, what legislation and organization throughout the years could not accomplish was achieved in a matter of weeks in many of the Welsh districts. Praise God, He can affect change in men’s hearts to such an extent that it affects the life of their whole community! O that we should again see a visitation of God such as occurred in Wales in the early 1900′s!

Let us earnestly pray to that end.  God bless and revive us all!

Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [34]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [34]

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” , are the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 85:6. Surely this needs to be the prayer of every godly man or woman who longs for the glory of God to be seen among His people. Jesus said He had come to give us life, and give it to the full. Yet so many Christians today appear to be quite happy to go around half empty, living their daily lives with no real care for the level of their spiritual petrol tanks. If we are ever to see once again an awakening of our nation to the reality of God’s power, [grace and holiness,] then we must begin by earnestly emulating the Psalmist in his prayer for our own revival.  [We must desire God's revival in our own hearts, and in our own local church fellowships first of all.]  Only then can we expect the fullness of which our Lord spoke, and only then can we expect it to spread like wildfire to others.

Are you praying for revival? Are you prepared to use the words of the Psalmist and to beseech God for His awakening and reviving touch? Don’t we long for the day when God’s people can rejoice in Him, as the Psalmist says? We want the happiness, the joy, the rejoicing with a carefree heart, but this fullness that the Lord Jesus spoke of requires first that we go to Him in earnest prayer for the revival of our souls. Every man or woman God has ever used has been a person of prayer. They have learned to agonize, to pour out their souls before the Lord, and to listen to Him as He responds. God’s reply may entail paying a price. There is always a price to pay for revival. It may be the sacrifice of time to spend more in prayer; it may be the sacrifice of certain things or habits or entertainments; it may be meeting together with certain people who God leads you to minister with; it may entail repentance of some sin, or the apology to someone you know you have harmed.

Recently, as I prayed for revival in my own life, the Holy Spirit lead me to write a letter to a Christian brother – it was a letter that should have been written many years ago. I could not feel peace until I got this done. As we begin praying for revival, the Lord will no doubt show us that there is a lot of clutter in our lives that stops Him from using us fully to His glory. It’s here where our revival has to start. And it is God’s glory that is at the heart of the matter, not our own often petty, selfish agendas. Our Lord tells us clearly to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto us”. If we seek [God's glory first and foremost, if we seek] a personal revival in order that our lives should be honouring to Him, then God will see to it that our hearts are filled with joy, and that all things needed are given to us day by day.

“Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee”, is the Psalmist’s heartfelt prayer. Let’s make it our own, and ask Him to help us to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit as He reveals to us the steps we need to take. I do trust these thoughts can help you to understand how to direct your own prayers for revival.

Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [33]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [33]

Last week we we asked the question, “When is a revival needed?”. We looked at some of the conditions the great evangelist Charles Finney pointed to that indicated the need for revival. Those conditions are prevalent today – today we need revival!

This week we shall resort to Finney again to consider the indications that might prelude the coming of a revival. I’d like to mention 6 of the signs that Finney mentions as possible indications that a revival is on the way. What are they? First, when the wickedness of the wicked grieves and humbles and distresses Christians, driving them to prayer for the unsaved. Now this is happening amongst small groups around Britain today that are meeting regularly for prayer for God to send His revival grace to save lost sinners. In spiritually darkened France, recently over 1000 churches and prayer groups have been meeting for 40 days to beseech God to send a spiritual change to that nation. So Christians are being driven to prayer.

Second, a revival may be expected when Christians are driven to have a spirit of prayer for revival, when their hearts are set on nothing less; when they begin to lay hold on God for such blessing as this and will not let Him go until He sends refreshing. More and more Christians that I meet are feeling this way and praying in this direction. Thirdly, another sign given by Finney indicating that revival may be expected is when preachers are directed to preach most particularly towards the conversion of sinners, and towards the necessity of a spiritual awakening among the congregation, then revival can be at the doorsteps. I must say that I do not see signs of this happening with any regularity in the churches in Britain today.  [Mostly the preaching is somewhat trivial, and even when there is good Bible instruction it seems mostly to be intended to feed the mind rather than lead people to ACT, to get right with God. So, if we want to see a revival, we may need to pray that God will send uncompromising preachers, who preach the wages of sin and the power of God's grace to save through Jesus.]

Fourthly, says Finney, a revival may be expected when Christians begin to confess their sins one to another. This entails being broken down by the Spirit of God and being led to apologise and make confession to one another. Again I do not see this happening in our British churches in any major way. The Spirit of God has work to do in us before revival can be expected. Fifth, a revival may be expected whenever Christians are willing to make the necessary sacrifices. They must be willing to sacrifice their time, their feelings, their business, their sleep, their pastimes, everything to help forward God’s work. If this is a condition for revival, then God will have to work very considerably upon our natural love of comfort and relaxation.

Lastly, a revival can be expected when ministers and leaders are willing to let God promote it by whatever instrument He wishes, even if they do not have control of it. In most British churches today, even in the newer independent churches, there is usually a strong leadership that is very keen to exercise control. Don’t get me wrong, order and proper organisation is important, but if this stops God from taking overall control then something is wrong.

I do trust Finney’s observations can help you to understand how to direct your own prayers for revival.

Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [32]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [32]

Last week we asked the question, when is revival needed? The answer given by Leonard Ravenhill was, it is needed when Christians have lost their first love, their concern for the lost, and when prayer is relegated to a secondary part of personal and church life. The great evangelist Finney adds further elements that indicate the need for revival in the church. These are:

1) When there is a want of brotherly love, when there are dissensions and jealousies and evil gossip among Christians. Is there not gossip in our churches today, is there not a hostile attitude towards some members by others? If we are not genuinely concerned for building each other up, then revival is needed.

2) When there is a worldly spirit in the church. When Christians begin to conform to the standards of the world, or when they allow their hearts and minds to become enslaved to the world’s amusements, so that they have not the time or energy for the things of God, then revival is needed.

3) When the church finds its members falling into sins that give God’s enemies occasion for reproach. With what sadness we see the falling away of once keen Christian people – even leaders – into adulterous relationships, divorce, same sex intimate relationships, and many other vices that fall short of God’s standard. Surely it is time for revival!

4) When the wicked triumph over the church and revile the Christian Gospel. As is the case so obviously today where Christians are seen as oddities, as hindering the progress of society. When the world looks upon the Christian church in this way, revival is needed.

5) When sinners are careless and stupid, sinking into hell unconcerned. It is time for the church to stir itself and awake to proclaim the gospel. For today it is not only that people are unconcerned, many no longer know of the reality of hell. Finney compares the church’s responsibility with that of the fire brigade. If there is a major fire in the city, and the firemen were to sleep through it and not put out the fire, we would all blame them. And yet their guilt would not compare to our guilt as Christians who sleep while sinners around are sinking blindly into hell.

Yes, revival is needed, it is desperately needed. In fact it is true to say that if we do then seek the Lord for His mercies, we must accept His judgment upon sins! We are standing at a crossroads. If God does not send revival, He will have to send judgment. We can, and we must, lay hold of the horns of the altar and give God no rest until He manifests Himself once again in mighty revival power.

Oswald.J. Smith recalls a time of intense evangelism during a six week period, while he was pastor of Dale Presbyterian Church, Toronto. Night after night without a single break, they spent every moment in prayer [They would get up in the morning, go to the prayer room, and pray in turn, with fasting, all day long. They would spend half the nights in prayer, never losing an opportunity to gather in prayer.] Each public holiday, they saw to it that the entire day was spent in fasting and prayer. As a result, God came down in mighty revival power, and without any inviting or coaxing, men and women found their way to the altar and gave themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder there was deep conviction! No wonder souls were saved!

We will never prevail with God and we will never see revival until we know how to travail in prayer. May God call us to prayer, the kind of prayer that usshers in revival!

Prayer for Revival by Ian Milmine [31]

Revival prayers by Ian Milmine [31]

Will revival come? What will it be like? What will it cost? When do we need revival? Leonard Ravenhill suggests that we need revival when three things are lacking:
1) we have lost our first love, 2) lost our burden for the unsaved, 3) lost our concern for prayer.

1 What about our first love? Do you remember how you felt when you were first saved? The Christian life was exciting – the hymns, the choruses, [the preaching of God's Word. It was thrilling to take part in evangelism. What a joy to be able to do something for Jesus!] You loved to read his Word, to pray, you couldn’t wait to get to the next service. And, what about today? Do you still feel that thrill, does God still mean more to you than life? Or has that first love died and your Christianity become commonplace? Snug in our little nests, comfortable amid our surroundings, we XXI century Christians hold our services, preach our sermons and take our classes, with very little thought for the wider vision of God’s purposes. Acknowledging our need will be the first step in restoring our vision and leading us on the road to revival. Every time there has been a revival it is because people living in the midst of a dormant and ineffective church have caught a vision of the will of God.  [They believed the Bible from cover to cover, they acted on it and saw God at work.]

2 What about our burden for the unsaved? We live in a world crippled with misery, hate and unrest, yet generally we Christians show great concern for our own lives while all around us people are perishing. What about the loved ones who we know are destined for hell unless we share the message of salvation with them? Somehow our faith has become compromised – it seems the world has convinced us that eternal punishment for those who die in their sins can’t really exist and, as a result, our testimony have become diluted and weak. So our Christianity has become hedonistic, with the emphasis on our own joy and happiness. A burden for the unsaved was the normal New Testament experience. The early church saw people being added daily, because every Christian was an evangelist with a burden for the lost. When that is missing, our Christianity is subnormal and we need revival.

3 Then what about our concern for prayer? God makes it plain that he wants his people to pray. James says, ‘You do not have because you do not ask. The early Christians spent ten days before Pentecost in prayer. After Pentecost they continued praying daily. They give us a clear example when it comes to persistent, believing prayer. When there was a special need, for instance, when Peter was in prison, they prayed. No wonder there was such a growth of the early church throughout the known world. What about today? I suspect that many of our weekly or monthly prayer meetings are mere formalities, attended by a very small proportion of the church members. Prayer is not the moving power house of the church, it just a small addition that is given little prominence. No wonder we need revival!

Yet it is exciting to see and hear of God leading some of His people to make prayer the priority again. All over the world, more and more of God’s people are crying to Him for an outpouring of his Spirit in this late hour. Is revival around the corner?

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