Revival in Wales

   “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

    I suspect you have heard this Scripture read many times from many different pastors and laymen. God has explicitly told us what our part is in preparing for a revival in our heart, in our home, in our church, or in our nation. Sadly, we are usually not too good at following the Lord’s instructions and we have not seen when our Lord has come down and healed our land. One of the most awesome examples of our God demonstrating what He will do, if we follow these simple instructions is found in the revival in Wales during 1904-1905. (If you are geographically challenged, Wales is in the southwest corner of the island of Britain and, along with England, Scotland, and Northern Island, make up the United Kingdom.)

   The following is an account of that revival taken from Fresh Encounter, by Henry and Richard Blackaby.

   “Evan Roberts was deeply concerned about the spiritual condition of Wales, his native land. Roberts began his adult life working at a local coal mine. For 13 years he prayed daily that God would revive the churches of his country. In 1904 Roberts surrendered to God’s call on his life and enrolled in a Bible college. Roberts became actively involved in a group of students who regularly met to pray for revival and to promote spiritual renewal in area churches.

    At the end of a midweek service, Seth Joshua, an evangelist, closed the meeting praying, ‘Lord, bend us.’ The Holy Spirit drove these simple words into Evan Roberts’ heart. Over and over Roberts prayed, ‘O Lord bend me!’ Roberts sensed God calling him to return to his home church in Loughor to lead the young people in a series of meetings. The pastor would not allow Roberts to address the entire congregation that had gathered for the weekly meetings but announced that anyone who wished to remain afterward could hear what Roberts had to say. On that evening, October 31, 1904, 17 people stayed behind to hear Roberts. His message had four points:

1.    You must put away any un-confessed sin.

2.    You must put away any doubtful habit.

3.    You must promptly obey the Spirit.

4.    You must publicly confess Christ.

   All 17 people pledged to follow these guidelines. The Holy Spirit began to work powerfully in this group. Soon crowds were gathering at the church each evening. God’s people began to repent of their sin and renew their relationship with Him. Unbelievers came to the services, and many put their faith in Christ. Roberts and other preachers spread out across Wales to speak in churches and saw revival spread. Within two months 70,000 people had become Christians. Within six months 100,000 people had been born again and added to the churches.

   God’s activity among He people exerted a profound effect on the community at large. Taverns were closed for lack of business. The crime rate dropped so dramatically that the police had to find new uses for their time. People repaid delinquent debts and made restitution for thefts and other transgressions. There was even a slowdown in the coal mines as the pit ponies reportedly could no longer understand the reformed language of the converted coal miners! Soon the world took notice of what God was doing in Wales. Before long, similar revival movements occurred worldwide. It all started when God drew 17 of His people back to Him. Once they returned to God in complete surrender, their community, then their nation, and ultimately the world felt the impact.” (Fresh Encounterby Henry and Richard Blackaby, page 15)

   So how about you? Are you ready to agree to do the four things Roberts asked  those 17 people to do? Are you ready to gather together with others on a regular basis to cry out to God to come down and make a change in our churches, communities, and country? Why not start today?

PRAY

1.    O Lord I confess to you that I am a sinner. For give me for_____________and _______________and _______________.

2.    Lord help me as I put away my bad habit of complaining, of not being thankful, for not putting You first in every part of my life. Help me break the bad habit of ________________.

3.    Help me to be obedient to the movement of the Holy Spirit in my life today. Help me to be attentive to listen to Your still small voice, and quick to obey!

4.    Help me to be bold enough to tell someone about You today. Let everyone that I come in contact with today know how much You mean to me and how You have transformed my life for good.