Who Starts Revivals, God or People?

Who Starts Revivals, God or People?

God is Looking for a Few Good Men and Women

For those seeking a genuine move of God, it must be understood that micro-revivals always precede macro-revivals. Revival begins with an individual whom God sovereignly draws and prepares; it is entirely the grace of God, yet God chooses to work through people. No one will persistently and unrelentingly pursue God for a revival unless they are first drawn to do so by the Holy Spirit. That individual does not take this task upon themselves. It is initiated by God so that He alone gets the glory for whatever transpires. Because of this, revival always begins in an individual’s heart before it spreads to the masses—it only takes one spark. This is the fundamental principle to keep in mind while preparing for a move of God.

“Methods are many.
Principles are few.
Methods may change,
but principles never do.”

Preparing for revival doesn’t mean we should explore and implement the latest church-growth strategies. During dry seasons—when the presence of God seems far away and the heavens feel like brass—we often erroneously initiate programs as a substitute for proven spiritual hunger.

Instead of focusing on strategies, we must refocus on the condition of the individual heart. As E.M. Bounds famously noted:

“The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. If we have the right people, almost any method will work.”

Most believers are sitting back, waiting for a collective stirring they can label a “revival.” Meanwhile, God is waiting for an individual to be stirred. When one person is truly revived, that fire infects others, spreading until the whole community is overwhelmed by the move of God.

It takes only one spark for the entire process to start. Will you be that spark?