In one of his lectures on revival, Charles Finney made some observations concerning when a revival of religion is needed.
In one of his lectures on revival, Charles Finney made the following observations concerning when a revival of religion is needed.
- When there is a want of brotherly love and Christian confidence among professors of religion, then a revival is needed.
- When there are dissensions, and jealousies, and evil speakings among professors of religion, then there is great need of a revival… Religion cannot prosper with such things in the church, and nothing can put an end to them like a revival.
- When there is a worldly spirit in the church. It is manifest that the church is sunk down into a low and backslidden state, when you see Christians conform to the world…
- When the church finds its members falling into gross and scandalous sins, then it is time for the church to awake and cry to God for a Revival of Religion.
- When there is a spirit of controversy in the church or in the land, a revival is needful. The spirit of religion is not the spirit of controversy.
- When the wicked triumph over the church, and revile them, it is time to seek for a Revival of Religion.
- When sinners are careless and stupid, and sinking into hell unconcerned, it is time the church should bestir themselves. It is as much the duty of the church to awake, as it is of the firemen to awake when a fire breaks out in the night in a great city. The church ought to put out the fires of hell which are laying hold of the wicked. Sleep! Should the firemen sleep, and let the whole city burn down: what would be thought of such firemen? And yet their guilt would not compare with the guilt of Christians who sleep while sinners around them are sinking stupid into the fires of hell.
You may not agree with all of Finney’s methods and you might take issue with some of his theological conclusions. However, you have to admit that the man called “America’s foremost revivalist” makes some valid points concerning when a revival or a spiritual awakening is needed.
Pondering Finney’s observations is a sobering experience, because, it seems, the church in America is characterized by all the points he mentioned. I submit to you that what our nation needs more than anything else is a genuine, heaven-sent spiritual awakening.
If, like me, you believe America is in need of revival, how should we respond? According to Finney, “Prayer is an essential link in the chain of causes that lead to a revival.”
During the summer of 1987, I was privileged to make two trips to South Korea. On both occasions I spent several weeks preaching in churches located in and around Seoul, the Asian nation’s capitol.
At the time of my visit, South Korea was riding the crest of an incredible wave of revival. As a result, some of the nation’s churches had grown to be the largest in the world. And, it seemed, all churches were alive with an enthusiastic and expectant spirit.
I will never forget the very first church I visited. It was located in storefront of a busy Seoul street. Every service was filled to overflowing with many people standing or listening from the outside.
I asked the pastor if he had any thoughts on the revival that was taking place. Without hesitation he responded with one word – prayer. He then began to tell me how often his church gathered together to pray. The pastor described daily prayer meetings that took place every morning. Church members would stop off at the church on their way to work. They would gather in small groups, committing their day to the Lord and praying for lost friends and relatives.
Home prayer groups were also a part of the church’s practice of prayer. The pastor told how church members were organized geographically into prayer groups. At least once a week, the groups would meet at a home in their area for the specific purpose of prayer.
Wednesday evening services were given completely to prayer the pastor shared. And every Friday, an all night prayer service was held at the church. When I asked about the attendance at the Friday service, the pastor smiled and said, “Full.”
I asked the pastor if his church was unique in its emphasis on prayer. He shook his head no. “Every church pray,” he said. The pastor then asked me a question I shall never forget. “How much you pray in your church?” he queried.
I lowered my eyes for a moment. I felt my eyes moisten as I replied, “We don’t touch the hem of your garment when it comes to prayer.”
It has been more than one hundred years since America has tasted a national revival. I have been told that, by and large, Louisiana has never felt the impact of a spiritual awakening. I don’t know about you, but I think it is time that we take Finney’s advice and follow the example of the church in South Korea and engage in fervent prayer for revival.
A conference focusing on “prayer for revival and spiritual awakening” is being held March 22 and 23 atKingsvilleBaptistChurch in Pineville. The event will cost you nothing but time. I plan on being there. Won’t you consider attending as well?