Revivals are moments when God moves powerfully to renew hearts and awaken faith. Today, we’ll explore what the Bible says about revival and how we can prepare our hearts for one.
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What Does The Bible Say About Revivals
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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking God’s presence as key elements in experiencing revival. It highlights that revival starts with acknowledging our need for humility, prayer, and a sincere turning away from sinful behaviors. When we seek God’s face and align ourselves with His will, He promises to respond, forgive our sins, and bring healing to our lives and communities.
Psalms 85:6
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
This cry for revival captures the longing for a renewed and joy-filled relationship with God. It reflects a deep desire for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit, reviving hearts and minds to experience God’s presence in a powerful and transformative way. Revival brings a sense of rejoicing and renewed purpose, prompting believers to walk in deeper intimacy and alignment with God.
Joel 2:28
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
This prophetic verse points to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit as a catalyst for revival. It speaks of a time when God will empower His people with spiritual gifts and divine revelations. During revival, there is a heightened sensitivity to God’s voice, and individuals from all generations experience a fresh anointing, enabling them to prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Habakkuk 3:2
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
This plea for revival acknowledges the awe-inspiring nature of God’s past works and appeals for a repetition of His mighty deeds in the present. It recognizes the need for God’s mercy amid His righteous judgment, demonstrating a desire for spiritual awakening and a fresh manifestation of God’s power in the current generation.
Acts 2:17
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
This New Testament verse quotes the prophecy from Joel 2:28, highlighting the universality of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. It reminds believers that in the era of the Church, God’s Spirit is available to all believers, enabling them to be transformed, receive spiritual gifts, and participate in the prophetic ministry. Revivals mark a season where the Spirit’s power is poured out abundantly upon God’s people, allowing them to operate in supernatural manifestations and fulfill their God-given purposes.
Psalm 80:19
“Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”
In this Psalm, the psalmist cries out for restoration and salvation, recognizing that true deliverance comes from the Lord. Revival necessitates a turning back to God and a plea for His presence to shine upon His people. The shining of God’s face brings illumination, favor, and redemption, ultimately leading to the spiritual transformation and renewal that revival brings.
Isaiah 57:15
“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
This verse reminds us that God dwells with those who are humble in spirit, contrite, and recognize their need for Him. Revival begins with a broken and repentant heart, as God’s presence revives and refreshes those who humbly seek Him. The Lord responds to the contrite, breathing new life into their spirits and restoring their hearts.
Psalms 119:50
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Amid suffering, God’s promises provide comfort and hope. Revivals often arise in seasons of hardship and distress, where believers turn to God and find solace in His steadfast love and faithfulness. God’s promises sustain and preserve our lives, inspiring resilience and igniting a desire for revival.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
This prayer of King David illustrates the personal plea for inner revival. It reflects the recognition that revival starts within the individual heart, with a need for God’s transforming work. A pure heart and a steadfast spirit are keys to experiencing a renewed relationship with God and becoming vessels through which revival can flow to others.
Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
God promises to bring about a deep inner transformation through the gift of a new heart and spirit. Revival involves a supernatural work of God, replacing the hardness of our hearts with a tender, responsive spirit. This verse speaks of the profound change that takes place within individuals during revival, allowing them to be filled with God’s love and walk in alignment with His purposes.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
In times of revival, hope in the Lord is restored, and strength is renewed. This verse depicts the supernatural empowerment that comes from placing our trust in God. Revival renews our spiritual vitality and stamina, enabling us to rise above weariness, walk in perseverance, and run with endurance in fulfilling God’s purposes.
Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
This verse reveals the promise of intimate encounter with God during revival. When we wholeheartedly seek Him, turning away from distractions and worldly pursuits, we will discover His presence and experience profound communion with Him. Revival births a hunger and pursuit of God that leads to a deepening and maturing of our relationship with Him.
Mark 1:15
“‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'”
Jesus’ proclamation highlights the core response required for experiencing revival: repentance and belief in the gospel. In revival, hearts are stirred to turn away from sin and embrace the truth of Jesus’ redemptive work. This verse invites individuals to embrace the transformative power of the gospel, allowing it to permeate their lives and generate revival within their hearts.
John 4:23
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
In times of revival, worship takes on a new dimension as believers worship the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit and in alignment with His truth. Revival renews our understanding of worship, highlighting the importance of authentic, Spirit-led worship that resonates with the Father’s heart. True worshipers are sought by the Father and play a significant role in ushering in revival.
Matthew 4:17
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”
This verse emphasizes Jesus’ message of repentance as the pathway to the nearness of God’s kingdom. In revival, hearts are convicted of the need for repentance, aligning themselves with God’s divine purposes and reign. The invitation to repentance is a central theme in revival, leading to a transformation of individuals and communities as they yield to God’s sovereignty.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
This verse encompasses the dual invitation of repentance and turning to God for forgiveness. Revival ushers in refreshing and restoration as individuals acknowledge their need for repentance and seek God’s mercy. Times of revival bring freedom from the burden of sin and release a refreshing outpouring of God’s presence and blessings upon His people.
Zechariah 1:3
“‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
This call to return to the Lord is an essential element in experiencing revival. God longs for a restored relationship with His people, and revival begins with the individual and corporate decision to turn back to Him. As we return to God with genuine repentance and surrender, He responds with His abundant grace, mercy, and the transformative power of revival.
Lamentations 5:21
“Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.”
In this verse, the plea for restoration and renewal is intertwined with the desire to return to the Lord. Revival brings a rediscovery of the vibrant relationship with God, evoking memories of past spiritual vitality. The prayer for restoration and renewal is a cry for a revival that would recapture the essence of former days and fuel a passionate pursuit of God.
Psalm 23:3
“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
In times of revival, God refreshes and revives our souls. This involves the cleansing of the mind, will, and emotions from spiritual weariness, refreshing us and aligning us with His will. Revival brings clarity and guidance, leading us along the right paths that bring honor to God’s name and fulfillment of His purposes.
Jeremiah 33:3
“‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
This verse highlights the promise of divine revelation and insight during revival. God invites His people to call upon Him, assuring them that He will respond and reveal hidden treasures and mysteries. Revival opens the door for a deeper revelation of God’s nature, purposes, and His plans, leading to transformation and a deeper walk with Him.
John 7:37-38
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'”
These words of Jesus capture the invitation for anyone who is spiritually thirsty to come and receive the life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit. In revival, there is a widespread recognition of our spiritual thirst and hunger for God’s presence and power. Through faith in Jesus, believers become conduits of His living water, leading to spiritual overflow and revival that impacts those around them.
Ezekiel 37:5
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.”
The vision of dry bones being brought back to life serves as a powerful illustration of revival. When God breathes His life-giving Spirit into spiritually lifeless situations, individuals, and communities, revival and transformation occur. Revival brings resurrection power, turning desolate areas into thriving landscapes of spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.
Psalms 80:18
“Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.”
This verse expresses a commitment to staying connected to God and continuing to call upon His name. Revival births a desire to remain in a state of heart and spiritual awakening, not turning away from the Lord. As believers experience the reviving work of God, they are empowered to persevere in prayer, intercession, and seeking His face, leading to a sustained season of revival and transformation.
2 Timothy 1:6
“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
In revival, believers are reminded to stir up, ignite, and activate the gifts and anointing that God has placed within them. Revival fuels a passion for spiritual growth, encouraging believers to cultivate and release the supernatural gifts and abilities imparted by God. This verse challenges us to fan into flame the flames of revival, allowing the fire of God’s Spirit to burn brightly in our lives and ministries.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This verse reminds believers that the power of the Holy Spirit is the catalyst for effective witness and transformation. Revival not only brings personal renewal but also empowers believers to impact their surroundings and extend the kingdom of God. In times of revival, the Holy Spirit equips and empowers believers to be bold witnesses, leading to a widespread awakening and the advancement of God’s purposes globally.
Psalm 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
This heartfelt plea for the restoration of joy and a willing spirit encompasses the essence of revival. Revival rekindles the joy of our salvation and ignites a passion to serve God wholeheartedly. It leads to a sustained enthusiasm for the things of God, sustaining us in times of challenge and providing a constant source of motivation and purpose.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
This verse contrasts the enemy’s destructive purposes with Jesus’ redemptive mission to bring abundant life. Revival exposes the strategies of the enemy and redirects believers toward the fullness of life found in Jesus. In revival, God breathes new life into every area that has been stolen, killed, or destroyed, ushering in a season of restoration and overwhelming blessings.
Luke 11:13
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
In response to the disciples’ request to teach them how to pray, Jesus highlights the importance of asking the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Revival starts with a posture of humility and a desperate hunger for more of God’s presence and power. As believers seek the Father in expectation, revival brings a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and a supernatural empowerment to live out their faith with boldness and effectiveness.