Where will the next Great Awakening begin? Will it be somewhere in America?
With every true revival, a great shaking of religious tradition occurs. Is it possible that the American Church will witness such a degree of shaking? Will the epicenter of the Holy Spirit induced shaking be a large denomination, or a small church no one but God pays any attention to?
Will it begin in the hallowed sanctuary filled with worshippers shouting praises to God? Or might it be ignited in the dimly lit bedroom of a faithful prayer warrior?
What will be the reaction of those whose traditions are challenged? Almost everyone agrees things must change; that the religious traditions and dogmas need an overhaul. But not everyone agrees which ideas, or whose ideas, need to take the hit.
It’s like, “Yes, God needs to change THOSE people! When THOSE people get in line with God’s word this nation will witness a great outpouring of God’s Spirit.”
Really?
I wonder what would happen if the Church slowed down its activities and programs enough to take time to seek the God of revival. The God who has promised to “once more shake the heavens and the earth. The God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or even think. Yes, the same God who said, “Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance.”
If it’s true that God does nothing in the earth except as an answer to prayer, why must we be so busy with everything but prayer?
Here are some quotes by a man of prayer whom God used to shake his nation, and the world, almost three hundred years ago. His name? John Wesley.
“I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.”
“It seems God is limited by our prayer life – that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.”
“God does nothing but in answer to prayer; and even they who have been converted to God without praying for it themselves, (which is exceeding rare,) were not without the prayers of others. Every new victory which a soul gains is the effect of a new prayer.”
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.”
As I look at my life, and as the Spirit of God shines his searchlight into the depths of my heart, I must admit I’ve been busy with many good things, but have neglected the most important thing. I’ve witnessed his touch on my life, and I’ve seen him touch others through my life, but he’s telling me there’s much more that he wants to accomplish through me.
And you.
Revival in America? The Spirit is saying that we have not because we ask not. Or we ask that we may build a big congregation, earn a bigger salary, or gain a larger platform. In other words, we ask so we can spend it on our passions (James 4).
God will have the final say. He will bring revival to America. He will answer the prayers of those who have only one passion. Him.
Those who don’t share such a simple passion, will find themselves and their beliefs shaken to the core.
I believe the Spirit of God is admonishing the church to cut the busyness and get down to business.
It’s now or it’s never. For us.
We’ll either be involved with his holiness and power or we will find ourselves becoming irritated with and jealous of those he has chosen to anoint.
When will the next, possibly the last, Great Awakening occur? May the fires and shakings begin now!
Where will they start? How about with you and I?
If God is going to use someone’s prayers, he might as well use ours.
Jan Grace 