Those seeking revival for The Church must confess that if there is a need of being revived, then somewhere along the way sin entered and grieved away God’s presence (Eph. 4:30). It is only the entry of sin that will require prayer for revival.
Repentance is a
Foundational Key to Revival
To remedy a church or person’s spiritual dullness, the Holy Spirit must be allowed to do His convicting work. Man’s responsibility is to respond to the Holy Spirit with confession and repentance. Revival is not possible without the Holy Spirit’s convicting power, nor man’s proper response (Jn. 16:8; 1 Jn. 1:9).
Repentance—turning away from sin— is a primary and indispensable element for a revival to take place. It’s just impossible for it to occur without repentance.
The Azusa revival began where every revival should rightly begin—in repentant tears. It began in tears, it lived in tears, and when the tears ended the Azusa revival ended. —A.G. Osterberg
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Rev. 3:19)
The above verse was spoken by Jesus to a real church (Laodicia). The word “repent” was central in Jesus’ message to that church, and it’s central to any person or church wishing to experience a revival today.
In the mind of the average Christian the word “repent” is assumed to be reserved for sinners, not saints. Even so, the New Testament is full of verses telling professing Christians to repent. Repentance is defined as a change of mind, a change of heart, a change of attitude, or a change of direction.
Anybody wishing to experience a personal or corporate revival must also be willing to accept the inevitable changes that will be required.
