Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit … —Ephesians 6:18

In March we are going to host a 4-Day Revival Service at our church.  What does that mean? Well, Meriam Webster defines revival as (1) a period in which something becomes popular again after a long period of time. (2) the growth of something or an increase in the activity of something after a long period of no growth or activity. 

 I, personally, am saddened by the truth that as Christians we have lost our zeal and our excitement for God.  That we once were so ‘on fire’ for God, we talked about Him and to Him non-stop; we worshipped Him with everything in us, we were not ashamed to tell the world about His love for us and our love for Him.  We wanted to shout from the rooftops!  Then…………… we stopped.  Oh yes, we still love Him but we’ve lost that passion.  It’s time for the church to renew our passion and to once again Shout! Shout like we’ve never shouted before that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to be the Lord AND Savior of this world!

 I do not believe we can have the relationship we desire to have with God without communion and fellowship with Him.  If we want to see God move in Bowersville Ohio (because that’s where God has called us) we’ve got to get our hearts and our minds prepared.  We’ve got to have that burning desire and anticipation of His move. Do we want Him to show up?  Are we expecting Him to? 

 For the next seven weeks we will be meeting corporately for a time of prayer.  We will be looking at some of the greatest revivals in our country’s history and see what caused them to be successful. Why? Because Psalm 145:4-6 says, ‘One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.’

 Our mighty God reached into the lives of ordinary people like us – despite their weaknesses, fears and failings – and equipped them to become shafts of light that dispelled the darkness in their generation. They were ordinary people who experienced an extraordinary God.

 It is our hope that as we study these together, God will excite our hearts, fuel our passion and stimulate our prayer lives, motivating us to see the same things that those who participated in the great revivals saw. These principles and practices can unleash God’s blessing and allow Him the pleasure of doing what He wants to do in our lives, in our church, in our community and in our world. To Him be all the glory and honor.

 [Parts of this blog were taken from the site we will be studying, written by Tony Cauchi; Historical Revivals; http://www.revival-library.org/pensketches/hr_menu.php]