Step One: Confess a Revival is Needed
The first thing that must be confessed is that there is a need for revival. For some pastors, that confession will never be made, as there is too much pride to allow those words to come out of their mouth.
To confess a need for revival is to acknowledge that a declension has occurred. It is confessing that the majority of those within a given congregation are asleep.
A prideful pastor will never confess that the congregation under their care could possibly have fallen asleep. Only a humble pastor would make such a confession.
Divine aid will not come until the need for revival is confessed. Once confessed, a congregation will begin applying revival principles that will lead to God’s returned favor.
Step Two: Confess Personal and Corporate Sin
The second thing that must be confessed is personal and corporate sin, because if there is a need for revival, there is one cause—and one cause only—and that is the entrance of sin.
We have seen that many people feel comfortable confessing national sins that they have not committed; slavery, abortion, ill-treatment of American Indians, etc., but to get to the heart of the matter, it is personal sins that must be confessed. The corporate sins of a congregation must also be confessed, and they might include:
.► Negligence toward the Great Commission
.► Apathy and complacency toward the lost all around them.
.► Ill-treatment of church members (and former members).
.► Ill-treatment of the pastor or former pastors.
.► Poor relationship with their community.
Not every sin needs to be confessed publicly. The rule some have given when it comes to confessing sin is:
Sins committed publicly must be confessed publicly. Private sins, especially of a sexual nature, should be confessed privately. —Frank Damazio, Seasons of Revival
James 5:16 shows us that healing comes through confession:
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
Return to the Principles of Revivals List
Chet & Phyllis Swearingen:
Office: (260) 920-8248
romans1015@outlook.com
Beautiful Feet
P.O. Box 915
Auburn, IN 46706
