Revival

From Pastor Mike

On Tuesday I sent out this email:

What began as a routine college chapel service on the Campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, KY on Wednesday morning Feb 7 has continued around the clock with prayer, worship, confession, and repentance. This revival has the signs of a sovereign visitation by God - a very tangible and powerful sense of His presence. 

I traveled to Asbury University on Wednesday, Feb. 15. I arrived a little before noon. At this point prayer and worship had been going on around the clock for 7 days. The University chapel was filled to capacity (1200) and about 400 persons were waiting in line to enter. (As people left the building they would admit those waiting outside.) Rather than wait in line I chose to go to one of the other auditoriums on campus where there was overflow seating and a ‘live stream’ video of the chapel.

I arrived as an observer and supporter and within an hour I became a participant. The six hours I was able to stay passed quickly. I wasn’t hungry or thirsty or tired. What I saw and felt there, I had seen and felt before- yet this was more.

Some people are wondering, “is this revival?” That’s what it seems like to me. A quote I remember is credited to Jonathan Edwards (a noted preacher during the second great awakening in the mid 1700’s) “Revival is the normal work of God – amplified and accelerated.”

Here’s my experience:

In the building and around the grounds was a presence of God that was thick but not heavy. Prominent was peace, ease, security and comfort. I heard it said, “This is an expression of God’s kindness to us. But His kindness is not weak.” God was clearly but not forcefully is leading his people.

People were unified but not in lockstep control. Some worshipping freely, others praying, others reflecting or waiting quietly.

Prayer came easy, it was personal and patient, not grasping for words, not rushed. I jotted down notes in times of quiet listening. 

Worship in singing seemed like the context that everything else happened around. We were lead and prompted in our worship – but it wasn’t a performance. It felt spontaneous and wasn’t abrupt or shifty. Calls went out a couple times an hour for those committing their lives to Jesus, those needing healing; others facing anxiety, or carrying a burden for unsaved loved one… and the worship went on...

Being in this environment was emotional but not like provoked emotionalism. (I made good use of my pocket full of Kleenex – and realized that my emotions might not have been exactly appropriate for the moment – so what! I was safe, I was with Jesus.)

There were times of testimony and scripture reading, and reports of other colleges having begun around the clock prayer. Then more worship. God was glorified in it all.

You may be wondering: WHY: there, then, among them?   That it is a sovereign act of God is a good answer. Another one is: They wanted it. They hungered for it. They were thirsty for God, and they were filled. (Matthew 5:6)

When I knew I needed to soon start back for home, I shifted my prayer to, “What about Friendship?” I don’t hear voices like others have, but it seemed clear the answer was, “That’s up to you.” (I hope God meant you all:) 

Our self-sufficiency and contentment with life as it is hasn’t got us too far. What about hunger and thirsting for God?

As before, please join me PRAY 

That God's work in that place and among those people is completed and His desire is fulfilled without resistance.

That the freshness and power of His Holy Spirit, evident in that place, may increase and spread to other people and places.

That we would have the hunger and humility to welcome His refreshing work in our own lives.