Bring Revival Again!
By Ruthie Jacobsen
Years ago, while we were conducting evangelistic meetings in the west of England, I came across an account of the great Welsh Revival of 1904. As I read, a deep longing grew in my heart that has never gone away.
One story told how a truck driver approached a church with a delivery. However, the Holy Spirit’s presence was so strong that by the time he could see the church, he had tears rolling down his face. “I couldn’t help it; the Spirit of God was all around,” he said.
How long has it been since I was in a prayer meeting where I was moved to tears by the Holy Spirit’s convicting presence? I’m not pleading here for an emotional experience. I am simply describing a heart cry that when I come together with God’s people, His presence be so real, so vivid, and so palpable that I am in awe before Him. Do truckers who rumble past our church on Wednesday evening sense that something of eternal consequence is happening inside? Do it again, Lord.
Another report from Wales in 1908 says, “The role of the police has changed from hauling drunks into the jail to helping get cars into and out of the church parking lots.” Oh Lord, let it be so again, in my church.
The effect on the children was overwhelming: “A bus arrived one evening and it was discovered that the youngsters had been singing, but before they arrived at the church a spirit of repentance had already broken out.”
In 1855 Ellen White described an event in Topsham, Maine: “Twenty-eight were present; all took part in the meeting. Sunday the power of God came upon us like a mighty, rushing wind. All arose and praised God with a loud voice. … It was a triumphal time. All were strengthened and refreshed. I never witnessed such a powerful time before” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 5, p. 226) Four years later, in Kalamazoo, she would enter in her diary: “In the eve the church followed the example of their Lord and washed one another’s feet, and then partook of the Lord’s Supper. There was rejoicing and weeping in that house. The place was awful, and yet glorious, on account of the presence of the Lord” (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 261).
Glorious on account of the presence of the Lord? Do it again, Lord. Please, do it again.
Ruthie Jacobsen use to be director of North American Division prayer ministries. She is now retired.
World Church Prayer Requests
September 1 - 7, 2023
- Pray for “Hope For Africa,” a major evangelistic outreach in East Central Africa Division with Pastor Mark Finley, September 2-16, 2023. The meetings will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, and downlinked to 10,000 locations in 11 countries via Hope Channels in the region. We are praying for a great harvest!
- This week starts “Family Togetherness Week of Prayer.” Pray that many families would take part of this wonderful program by GC Family Ministries.
- Pray for families all around the world to be havens of hope and healing within their spheres of influence.
- Pray for safeguards to be around the marriages of those you know. Pray especially for the pastoral spouses, for faithfulness to each other and to God’s Word.
- Pray for our youth and young people as they are beginning a new school year. Pray for decisions to be made for Jesus during this year.
- Prayer for a couple’s retreat being planned in the Inter-American Division in 2024. Pray that God would bless the details of this event, and provide just the resources needed, and support needed.