“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting….and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:2,4a)

Something out of the ordinary happened a few months ago. The Holy Spirit decided to pay a particularly noteworthy visit to a group of people. On a college campus, no less.

You’ve probably heard about the “revival” that came out of nowhere at Asbury University in Kentucky, a viral experience that quickly spread to several other universities. It started calmly enough, during a normal chapel service on February 8 that unexpectedly turned into hours-long confession, prayer, preaching, singing, testimonies, and more. Students didn’t want to leave the auditorium—they couldn’t get enough of the Spirit’s presence in worship.

By the time it officially ended with the February 24 closure of services, the 2023 Asbury “Outpouring” (as it’s being called by the university) had brought in busloads of folks—between 50,000 and 70,000 people from more than 200 other institutions and multiple countries.¹

Revival is nothing new at Asbury. There have been similar episodes from as early as 1905 through 2006, with days of continuous worship. The most significant event at Asbury before this year, however, was in 1970, with 144 hours of unbroken revival, resulting in the sending out of some 2,000 “witness teams” to other campuses.²

When such occurrences crop up, they beg the question of authenticity—are they real? Do they represent genuine revival? Have hearts truly been changed? 

It’s entirely possible, and only time will tell. Two of my friends, Ron and Becky Brown, were students at Asbury during the season of revival that lasted for several years in the early 1970s. Becky said that more than 50 percent of the students in attendance with them eventually went into ministry. She and Ron were deeply affected by this experience—they’ve spent five decades together in Christian missions since college days.

When the 2023 “Outpouring” captured the media’s attention, the news spread to Christians everywhere, sparking their imaginations—if the Holy Spirit’s power could descend in such a powerful way here at Asbury, what if He were to ignite a flame at all of our colleges? In our public schools? In our churches and homes? In our government? Across our entire nation? Around the world?

Make no mistake…the Holy Spirit can do it. He who created us and our entire universe is certainly capable of inspiring true revival on a grand scale.

The real question is, are we asking Him to do it?

Many Christians in our nation are praying for widespread revival—a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit from God, one that brings the lost into faith and ignites a flame of truth, love, and passion in believers. Our country has seen periods of revival over the past centuries, such as the Great Awakenings of the early 1700s, early and late 1800s, and even the “Jesus Movement” and work of evangelists such as Dr. Billy Graham in the 1960s-70s.

We haven’t seen much lately in the way of revival, though. America teeters on the edge of complete moral collapse, crime is rampant, social responsibility is declining, and tensions between political groups escalate. It’s a situational conundrum in a place where religious freedom has existed for more than two centuries yet is taken for granted by younger generations who have abandoned their faith heritage.

In contrast, the church is growing in countries where the Christian faith is banned or persecuted. Many individuals are coming to faith and following Christ despite the risks to their homes, families, and lives. The Holy Spirit is at work in these oppressive places…why not ours? 

I believe that, in order for America to experience a new Great Awakening, we need to pray specifically for it. Yes, God has His purposes and timetable for bringing His people back into faith—He will accomplish His plans with or without our input. But He wants us to ask for it as well. When we bring such petitions to Him, in accordance with His will, we invite Him to display His power and glory. 

Scriptures are full of such circumstances, where the nation of Israel abandoned God and yet He remained faithful to His people—especially when they cried out to Him for relief. Our 21^st-century world is in a similar mess. Will we cry out to Him for the sake of the lost?

Friend, wherever you live, please consider making this year a committed time of prayer for America and your own homeplace. It’s a huge privilege. Pray for your family, children in schools, students at universities, and leaders in your community and nation. Pray for teachers, moms and dads, healthcare providers, first responders, and church pastors. 

Likewise, pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon your own heart. If you’re experiencing a drought in your own spiritual walk, ask Him to fill you with His living water. Ask to be baptized anew with His healing and abundant life. Ask Him to send His “rushing wind” and “flames” to re-ignite your own passion for His glory. Let your prayers go up as a sweet, fragrant sacrifice—pleasing and acceptable to Him. “Ask, and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Together, let’s ask, trust, and then wait expectantly upon His Holy Spirit and His excellent timing. Our faithful Lord is listening.

Holy Spirit, rain down Your blessings of joy in my family, my community, my church, my country—especially upon me as well. Come dwell within all of us as our Guide and Protector. Quicken my soul, and revive the dull parts of my heart that have grown cold. Renew my faith. Let me live to see a passion again in our nation for spreading Your good news about Jesus Christ and His salvation. Let evangelism begin with me. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

© Copyright 2023 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

To learn more about the grace of Jesus Christ, go to this page: https://lightbournecreative.com/good-news-for-you/

¹ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Asbury_revival

² https://www.asbury.edu/academics/resources/library/archives/history/asbury-revival/

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