Christian revival refers to a renewed spiritual interest or awakening among a group of believers or within a church, denomination, region, or country. It is a time of refreshed faith, repentance, recommitment to God, and a deeper experience of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Throughout history, there have been seasons where revival has spread across regions and impacted society at large.
At its core, revival is the work of God’s Spirit stirring believers’ hearts back to fervent devotion to Christ. It often begins subtly at first—as Christians sense a growing burden to pray more earnestly for their families, churches, cities, and nations. This intensifies into a “spirit of revival” where large numbers experience renewed zeal for evangelism, bible study, and concern for the spiritual condition of others. Biblical signs accompanying true revival include: deep conviction of sin, tears of repentance, public confession of wrongdoing, reconciliations between people, increased financial generosity, and a passion to share one’s faith with nonbelievers.
The book of Acts provides insight into the extraordinary power and growth of the early church during its initial revival period after Pentecost. Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached to crowds in Jerusalem and 3,000 people were converted in a single day (Acts 2:41). Soon after, the number of believers grew to 5,000 (Acts 4:4). This exponential expansion continued as persecution scattered the first Christians from Jerusalem and they powerfully shared the gospel wherever they went: “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). Forceful revival winds thrust the message of salvation far beyond the city walls.
Throughout church history, we see seasons of revival both revitalizing existing believers and drawing unbelievers to saving faith. The Protestant Reformation brought sweeping revival to Europe in the early 1500s as clergy like Martin Luther proclaimed justification by faith and other biblical truths. In Britain and America during the 1700s, the First Great Awakening produced widespread renewal through the ministries of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and others. Major revivals broke out again in the Second Great Awakening around 1800, marked by large camp meetings and an explosion of missionary work.
During the mid-late 1800s, pockets of revival fires kept burning—fanned into flame by preachers like D.L. Moody, Charles Finney, and Billy Sunday. In the early 1900s, the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles became a catalyst for launching Pentecostalism as a major branch of Christianity. Successive waves of revival have continued breaking out at different times and places around the world right up to the present day.
Seasons of revival blessing are not permanent, however. Throughout Scripture and history, we see an ebb and flow in the spiritual vitality of God’s people. Fortunately, we serve a gracious God who promises that when our love grows cold, if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). If we humble ourselves and pray, and seek God’s face, He promises to hear and forgive and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
What are the common characteristics and effects of revival? Here are key biblical insights:
Renewed Passion for Prayer
Prayer both precedes and flows from revival because prayer is the pipeline of communication with God. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, prayer is the trigger for revival. Ezra describes Levites leading revival with prayer: “They confessed and threw themselves down before the Lord” and began to intercede and give thanks (Nehemiah 9:1-3). The disciples were baptized in the Spirit at Pentecost while praying (Acts 1:14, 2:4). Throughout church history, united prayer among believers preceded fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit.
Deep Repentance from Sin
As prayer intensifies leading up to revival, the Holy Spirit convicts hearts of hidden sin, backsliding, and disobedience. Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). At Pentecost, Peter’s conviction-filled sermon pierced hearts and his listeners cried out, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37-38). Later Peter challenged Simon the sorcerer to repent of wickedness (Acts 8:22). Paul urged believers to wake from spiritual slumber because “our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Seasons of revival draw us back to our First Love through gut-level repentance.
Renewed Excitement for Scripture
With revival comes a revived hunger for God’s Word. Like newborn infants, we long for the pure, spiritual milk of Scripture to grow in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2). During Josiah’s revival, the rediscovered Book of the Law was read before all the people who rededicated themselves to obey it (2 Kings 23). Ezra the priest led expositional teaching of Scripture for hours as Israelites stood and listened intently (Nehemiah 8:1-8). The Bereans were considered nobler for searching out the Scriptures diligently (Acts 17:11). An outpouring of God’s Spirit stirs powerful renewal of love and devotion to His Word.
Fresh Anointing in Preaching
When God moves in revival power, both clergy and laypeople are emboldened to share the gospel with supernatural boldness. Though fearful at first, Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and preached at Pentecost with piercing conviction (Acts 2:14-41). Acts 4:31 says “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Stephen, though an ordinary deacon, was suddenly “full of God’s grace and power” as he eloquently proclaimed Christ (Acts 6:8-10). In times of revival, both trained pastors and common laborers preach with unusual spiritual authority and evangelistic fruitfulness.
Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Revival is essentially an outpouring of God’s Spirit on His people. After excluding worldliness, God’s people were suddenly “filled with the Holy Spirit” at Pentecost (Acts 2:4). While Peter preached at Cornelius’ home, “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message” (Acts 10:44). Spirit-filling brought unity, joy, and empowerment for ministry (Acts 13:52). Paul challenged early believers to keep being filled with the Spirit rather than quenching or grieving Him (Ephesians 5:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Revival is a time of rediscovering and revitalizing this moment-by-moment dependence on the Spirit.
Supernatural Signs and Wonders
When the Spirit is poured out in power, we often see an increase in signs, wonders, healings, and manifestations of spiritual gifts. After Pentecost, “many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles” (Acts 2:43). God did “extraordinary miracles” through Paul, even raising the dead (Acts 19:11, 20:9-12). Despite persecution, “the Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). Spiritual gifts such as prophecy equip the church for revival (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). While sensationalism should be avoided, revival ushers in a new season of awe-inspiring demonstrations of God’s supernatural presence.
Intensified Conviction of Sin
Deep conviction of personal and corporate sin is a recurring mark of true revival. Peter’s Pentecost sermon stabbed hearts with guilt crying out, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Later he rebuked Simon’s wickedness, provoking his confession and request for prayer (Acts 8:22-24). Paul reasoned persuasively in Athens about coming judgment, provoking some listeners to follow Christ (Acts 17:32-34). The Spirit brings strong awareness of ungodliness, injustice, greed, pride, and hypocrisy—leading to tearful recognition of our great need for cleansing through the cross. Mild discomfort over sin will not produce life change. The Spirit uses awakening conviction to prompt true repentance and transformation.
Stirring of Evangelistic Zeal
When God revives His people, we overflow with eagerness to see others saved. After Pentecost, Peter urged: “Be saved from this perverse generation!” (Acts 2:40). Persecution scattered fervent believers from Jerusalem who “preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). When Philip was persecuted, he preached powerfully in Samaria seeing many conversions (Acts 8:4-8). Paul said woe to me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). Testifying of Christ becomes urgent business rather than an optional activity. In times of revival, compassion for the lost intensifies and personal evangelism escalates.
Commitment to Social Justice
Renewal movements steer believers toward greater engagement with issues of inequality, oppression, poverty, and societal sin. Nehemiah spearheaded revival while also instituting wide-sweeping economic reforms for the vulnerable (Nehemiah 5). Jesus announced revival blessing while also calling the Church to care for the poor, imprisoned, disabled, and marginalized (Luke 4:18-19). Reformist leaders like William Wilberforce fueled 19th century revival while campaigning tirelessly against slavery. Authentic revival always provokes renewed zeal for biblical justice and outreach to disenfranchised segments of society.
Unity and Reconciliation
During times of spiritual awakening, churches experience increased unity and reconciliation between denominations, races, and socio-economic groups. Peter overcame Jewish prejudice to preach salvation to Gentiles, proclaiming that God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34-35). Paul urgently reminded early churches to walk in unity as fellow members of Christ’s body (Ephesians 4:1-16). For centuries, revival has softened hearts toward reconciliation and partnership between Protestants and Catholics as well as Arabs and Jews. Heavenly revival winds blow away pettiness and pride, allowing genuine brotherly love and kingdom collaboration to emerge.
Increased Financial Generosity
Revival intensifies willingness to honor God generously with one’s finances and material possessions. After Pentecost, wealthier believers eagerly shared assets or property to meet other’s needs (Acts 2:45). Increased economic sharing reflected softened hearts. Paul later set this forth as a general principle for revival, saying cheerful generosity blesses the giver, meets needs, and glorifies God (2 Corinthians 8-9). Throughout history, fresh spiritual awakening has loosened believers’ grip on material things and unleashed radical new levels of financial generosity and trust in God’s provision.
Renewed Passion for Holiness
As sin is exposed during revival, God’s Spirit also strengthens our resolve to pursue Christ-like character. Josiah spearheaded reforms to destroy idols and restore temple worship during Judah’s revival (2 Kings 23:1-25). Ezra commanded the Jews to separate from unbelieving foreigners to remain spiritually pure (Ezra 10:11). The Thessalonian church turned eagerly from idols to serve the living God amidst revival (1 Thessalonians 1:9). All true revival includes heighted pursuit of purity, obedience, and excellence at home, church, work, and in society.
Humble Dependence on God
Revival fosters greater reliance on God’s strength versus self-sufficiency. Peter was a timid disciple until filled with the Spirit at Pentecost. Paul later warned against prideful independence, urging: “because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ…we labor, struggling with all his energy” (Colossians 1:29). Our labor is empowered only by Christ’s energy and strength within. Vibrant revival humbles self-reliance and stirs new joyful dependence on the Spirit living inside every believer.
Increased Sensitivity to the Spirit’s Voice
As we walk more closely with God, revival brings heightened ability to discern the Spirit’s gentle nudging and discern His will. Jesus said His sheep follow Him because they know His voice (John 10:4-5). Sons and daughters attuned to their Father’s heart can know His guidance. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14). As we repent of stubbornness during revival, we increasingly heed the Spirit’s whispers and submit to His wise, loving leadership in all things.
Renewed Vision for the Great Commission
Revival reinforces Christ’s global call for every church and believer: Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Ezra’s revival produced spiritual fruit as Jews took the Scriptures back to their towns throughout Judea (Nehemiah 8:1-8). The early church was birthed in revival fire as disciples turned outward to evangelize the world. Hudson Taylor’s revival experience as a teenager propelled China Inland Mission breakthroughs. Revivals in England and America spawned the modern missionary movement. Revival inevitably mobilizes and motivates God’s people for Spirit-empowered completion of the Great Commission.
In closing, biblical revival refers to seasons where God graciously pours out His Spirit on the Church in fresh measure—revitalizing passion for Christ and acceleratoring advance of His kingdom worldwide. Rather than a periodic special event, revival is meant to be the normal environment of every church. We must continually pray and hunger for afresh outpouring of God’s empowering grace, both personally and corporately. Scripture urges us: do not quench the Spirit…do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). Lord, in mercy revive us again!
