In his book, Why Revival Tarries, the author, Leonard Ravenhill, discusses all the reasons we don’t have revival.

I’m not about to dispute with Mr Ravenhill — far from it.  I heartily agree with most of his comments.

What I want us to focus on is the privilege and honour of receiving The GIFT of Revival.

How many presumptuous, maybe even foolish pastors have advertised ‘Revival — here tonight’, or ‘We’re having Revival this weekend — don’t miss it!’

As if we can order up Revival like a take-away meal, or as if we can limit it to a single night.  No no no — Revival, genuine God-sent Revival, is a precious gift from a sovereign God — and it costs a great deal!

Perhaps that’s why we don’t see genuine revival very often?

Argentina in the 80’s, Toronto and Pensacola in the 90’s are the closest we’ve come in the last seventy years.

Even though most people accredit them as revivals, it is my belief they were only ‘practice runs’ for the real thing.

Lakeland, the Bay Revival, Smithton — mighty moves of God, but not true Revival.

They all had signs and wonders, all had multiple salvations, all sent the blessing all over the world.  But none had the indelible hallmark of revival — whole communities affected far and wide.

The Welsh Revival and Azusa Street Revival both affected millions and whilst they may have been deemed ‘big’, no other ‘revival’ had the effect of these two.

The last time anything close to revival hit Britain was the Hebridean Revival in 1949.  Argentina had revival in the 80’s, and while Toronto and Pensacola were huge, many say revivals, and had lasting effects even to this day, they were never full blown Revivals — just training or practice runs.

J Kilpatrick

If we look at it objectively, there are very few pastors who can shepherd or steward revival. John Kilpatrick is an obvious exception.

Revival isn’t a word to be bandied around pretentiously.  Even if we do have moves of God that stir up churches, maybe towns, they are not full on revivals but training exercises for the benefit of those who need to learn the cost of true revival.

Revival is gift from a sovereign God to those He can trust to steward it properly.  It’s a 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year move of God upon a repentant church and an unchurched people who need Jesus!

It’s 24/7 services and prayer meetings.  It’s spontaneous healing, signs, and wonders! It’s spreads way beyond our boundaries at the speed of wildfire!

It becomes a way of life for those carrying it and many of those caught up in it! It is a GIFT to be cherished, nurtured, and obeyed!

God births it – God gives it life through the obedience and prayers of those leading it — God allows it to die when we try to control or limit it!

Are you willing to be used in this way; to follow Holy Spirit as He leads us into and through Revival.  Until we are — Revival still tarries, but when we are — expect true God-sent Revival in your land once again.

~ Chris G. Bennett

Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.

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