Revival! (2)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3.22

Ministers of Scotland: Lectures on Revival III
The Rev. Alexander Moody Stuart, A. M., Minister of St. Luke’s Parish, Edinburgh
“But the Spirit enables also the people to hear. There may be no difference in the preacher – no greater clearness, no greater power – yet the people will hear far otherwise. The most common truths, most weakly set forth, will come with irresistible efficacy. The simple word read will work mightily in men’s hearts for instruction, for conviction, for comfort.”

Rev. Stuart was encouraging his readers to seek the Lord for His Spirit to move suddenly and surprisingly among His people, that revival might properly begin within the household of faith. He did not prescribe how God should do this – unlike many “revivalists” over the years – but simply called on the Lord to send His Spirit in ways appropriate to the needs of a complacent people. Perhaps the best-known example of the Spirit’s surprising ways is Augustine, reading Romans 12.13, aloud and being struck to the core of his being by the Spirit’s convicting presence and power. Do we believe that we need the Spirit of God to work in the “ears” of God’s people? Do we pray earnestly for this? Instruct the people in how they should prepare for and attend to the hearing of God’s Word? Do we plead with the Spirit publicly, prior to opening the Word, that His Spirit might be pleased to bless and use preacher and hearers alike? Only the Spirit can open stopped ears to hear the Word of God for revival, renewal, and awakening. Let us plead with God for Him to stir afresh within our ranks.

How would you counsel a new believer to “hear” the preaching of God’s Word?

Preparing for Revival
Perhaps most pastors fall into the category of those who do not expect to see a great revival and worldwide awakening in our lifetime. But just in case God chooses to do what He has done many times throughout the history of the Christian movement, we do well to prepare for it. Join us online once a month to pray for revival. Surely you can spare 30 minutes, once a month, to join with other pastors and church leaders to seek the Lord for revival, according to His Word? We’re looking for men who will commit to seeking the Lord for revival together. If you’re interested, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I’ll give you a list of available times. Or we can discuss beginning a new group to pray for revival at a more suitable time.

To help you in preparing for revival, we have two brief books that won’t take you more than an hour to read. Preparing Your Church for Revival tells you what to expect as the Lord begins to move, and shows you how to get ready even now (click here). Restore Us! provides the rationale and means for praying together for revival. It includes 12 psalms to guide your times of praying together (click here).

All quotations in this series are taken from Ministers of Scotland,Lectures on Revival, Richard Owen Roberts, ed. (Wheaton: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers, 1980). Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.