Revival- A Fire in the Belly: By Pastor Rajiv

Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It need not necessarily mean a movement but can be personal as well. Most, if not all, of us need a revival from time to time. Pastor Rajiv shares his thoughts today on revival.

The first question is "why revival"? What is the need? 

First let’s refer to this verse from ‎2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”.

This verse answers the "who", the "why" and the "how". It is extremely crucial especially at this point in time for the world we are living in because we all need healing. We need forgiveness. These are words said by God on the dedication of the temple by Solomon, and yet, it is so distant from our world today when churches are empty, church attendance is on a steady decline and church buildings have been converted into pubs and B&Bs. 

So today, is when revival is needed most, and this verse is a key as it describes the steps.

Now let's discuss the "who". Who needs revival? God’s subject here is people. His people – "if my people". God desires revival in His created world and He desires it in his people who are called by his name.

It clearly means that revival starts with us; you and me who are God’s family; you and me who are called by his name. It is an individual responsibility and not that of a movement. If we look at the great revivals that have taken place in history, we will find that it was always one-man, or one woman who came under deep conviction and shook the world.

O.S. Hawkins, in his book “The Prayer code” holds that the problem is not with the current world culture but with God’s own people who are called by his name. Again, you and me. Today, if you are looking for revival, are convinced you need it, then the question is how? How do we create revivals in ourselves and subsequently the world? The answer lies in the quoted verse which we will discuss in the next post.