History of Revivals
Every spiritual awakening begins with a small band of believers crying out for God to move with power. Here are just a few examples…
The Moravians
The Moravian Church was falling apart and lacked spiritual power. Despite this, a few leaders committed to pray for unity and revival. And a new work of the Spirit broke out. Their hunger for God sparked an unbroken prayer meeting that lasted over 100 years. The meeting that began as a last stitch effort to keep a church alive became a furnace for revival. And the prayer meeting went nonstop, 24/7 for over a century.
The Hebrides
One of the most significant revivals of the 20th century happened in the Northern Isles of Scotland. Two elderly women, 82 and 84, were deeply burdened that no young people attended church anymore. For years, they prayed through the night together that God would bring widespread salvation to their community. They had a vision of a church bursting with young people. And what happened in the years following was miraculous!
Finney and the 2nd Great Awakening
History remembers Charles Finney as a great, 19th century revivalist preacher. And he was. However, his ministry was preceded by and supported by a committed core of average people who were mighty in prayer. They prayed for the Kingdom of God to come, and it resulted in the 2nd Great Awakening.
Wesley and the Aldersgate Experience
John Wesley was a British preacher with a lot of promise. But, he was wracked by depression and turmoil. After seeking out advice from a Moravian missionary, he had an experience where God warmed his heart. From that moment on, he burned for revival. Prior to the Wesleyan revival, Wesley spent time learning about prayer and the presence of God from the Moravians.