Tag Archives: Azusa Street Revival

Historical Revivals

Common Threads in Revival: What Causes It and Sustains It

Analyzing the revivals covered in these articles—The Northampton Revival, The Second Great Awakening, The Welsh Revival, The Azusa Street Revival, The Moravian Revival, and The Hebrides Revival—reveals consistent principles that ignite revival and sustain its effects. Across history, while each revival is unique, there are striking similarities in the way God moves among His people and what is required to sustain His work. Here’s an overview:

What Causes Revival?

1. Fervent, Persistent Prayer

Every revival began with a small group of believers who were deeply committed to prayer. Whether it was the elderly sisters of the Hebrides, the prayer groups in Northampton, or the 100-year prayer chain of the Moravians, prayer was the catalyst that invited God’s Spirit to move. This aligns with the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people… humble themselves, and pray and seek My face…”.

  • Prayer was not casual or secondary; it was desperate, persistent, and often around-the-clock. Revival begins when God’s people take Him at His Word and cry out for His presence.

2. Hunger for God and Holiness

A deep hunger for God and a recognition of spiritual need were present in all these revivals. Leaders and participants felt burdened by sin and spiritual apathy, which drove them to repentance and a renewed pursuit of holiness. Revival occurs when people acknowledge their dependence on God and desire His righteousness above all else.

  • Psalm 24:3-4 was central in many movements: “Who may ascend onto the mountain of the Lord?… He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”

3. Unity Among Believers

Disunity hinders revival. Before the Moravian Revival began, the fractured Herrnhut community reconciled their differences and committed to love and unity. Similarly, the Welsh Revival transcended denominational lines, and Azusa Street broke racial and social barriers.

  • Revival often comes after believers humble themselves, forgive one another, and commit to unity. Psalm 133:1 reminds us: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”

4. Bold, Spirit-Led Preaching

In nearly every revival, Spirit-filled preaching played a pivotal role. Jonathan Edwards’ sermons in Northampton, Charles Finney’s bold messages during the Second Great Awakening, and Duncan Campbell’s Spirit-led preaching in the Hebrides deeply convicted hearts. These messages focused on repentance, salvation, and the beauty of Christ.

  • Preaching that relies on the Holy Spirit rather than human wisdom pierces hearts. 1 Corinthians 2:4: “My message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

5. The Sovereignty of God

A common thread is the undeniable sovereignty of God in revival. While prayer, preaching, and unity are important, revival ultimately happens because God chooses to move. His Spirit brings conviction and transformation, often in ways no one can predict or control.

  • This is especially evident in movements like the Hebrides Revival, where people were convicted spontaneously, even in fields or workplaces.

What Sustains Revival?

1. Continuous Prayer

Revival cannot last without persistent prayer. The Moravian Revival’s 100-year prayer chain illustrates this perfectly. Similarly, in the Hebrides, prayer meetings continued nightly, fueling the ongoing work of the Spirit.

  • Revival fades when God’s people stop seeking Him. Prayer keeps hearts tender and focused on God’s mission. 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”

2. Commitment to Holiness and Repentance

Revivals that lasted emphasized personal holiness and ongoing repentance. The Welsh Revival, for example, stressed confession of sin and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Sustained revival requires believers to remain vigilant against sin and continually seek God’s sanctifying work.

  • 1 Peter 1:16: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

3. A Missional Mindset

Revivals that endure often produce a strong missionary impulse. The Moravian Revival birthed global missions, and the Azusa Street Revival sent missionaries worldwide. When believers focus outward—sharing the Gospel and serving others—the revival spirit continues.

  • Revival that turns inward or becomes self-serving will fade. Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” remains central.

4. Unity in the Body of Christ

Division quenches revival. Revivals that lasted fostered unity among believers, often transcending denominational, racial, or social boundaries. The Azusa Street Revival exemplified this unity, with people from all backgrounds worshiping together.

  • Sustained revival requires believers to maintain humility, love, and unity. Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

5. God-Dependent Leadership

Revivals are often sparked by humble leaders who point people to God, not themselves. William J. Seymour (Azusa Street) and Duncan Campbell (Hebrides) were examples of leaders who emphasized the sovereignty of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, not their own efforts.

  • Revival fades when leaders seek personal glory or rely on human strategies rather than the Spirit. Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.

Summary: The Causes and Continuation of Revival

What Causes Revival?

  • Persistent, fervent prayer.
  • Hunger for God and holiness.
  • Unity among believers.
  • Spirit-filled preaching.
  • God’s sovereign work.

What Sustains Revival?

  • Continuous prayer and intercession.
  • Ongoing repentance and pursuit of holiness.
  • A missional focus to spread the Gospel.
  • Unity and humility within the church.
  • God-centered leadership that depends on the Spirit.

A Final Call to Seek Revival

The consistent threads across these historical revivals remind us that revival is both a gift from God and a response to the faithfulness of His people. Prayer, repentance, unity, and a commitment to His mission prepare the soil, but it is the Spirit of God who brings the harvest. As we look to these past movements of God, may we be inspired to seek His face and pray for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in our time.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your face. We long for Your presence to fill our lives, our churches, and our communities. Forgive us, Lord, for the sins that have kept us from You—cleanse our hearts and make us holy.

Stir within us a deep hunger to know You more and to walk in Your ways. Unite us as Your people, casting aside divisions, so that we may glorify You together. We ask for a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit, Lord. Please come and move among us as You have in the past. Let Your glory fall, and may revival begin in our hearts today.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

See Also

Historical Revivals

The Azusa Street Revival

The Birthplace of Global Pentecostalism

The Azusa Street Revival of 1906–1915 stands as one of the most transformative spiritual awakenings of the 20th century. Sparked by a small group of believers who sought God with humility and hunger, this movement ignited the modern Pentecostal movement, now encompassing over 600 million Christians worldwide. At the heart of the revival was a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit, marked by miracles, speaking in tongues, and a passionate call to holiness and unity.

Led by William J. Seymour, a humble African American preacher, the Azusa Street Revival broke barriers of race, class, and denomination, demonstrating God’s power to unite His people and equip them for global missions.

The Humble Beginnings

The seeds of the Azusa Street Revival were planted in 1905 when William J. Seymour, the son of freed slaves, attended a Bible school in Houston led by Charles Parham, a leader in the early Holiness movement. Seymour encountered the teaching of Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Although Seymour had not yet experienced this baptism, he carried the message to Los Angeles.

In February 1906, Seymour was invited to preach at a small holiness church in Los Angeles. His sermon on Acts 2:4—“And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (AMP)—was met with resistance, and he was locked out of the church. Undeterred, Seymour began holding prayer meetings in the home of Richard and Ruth Asberry on Bonnie Brae Street. These gatherings focused on repentance, prayer, and seeking the Holy Spirit.

On April 9, 1906, during one of these meetings, the Holy Spirit descended powerfully. Several people began speaking in tongues, and a wave of supernatural manifestations followed. Crowds gathered outside the home, drawn by the sound of worship and testimony. The meetings grew so large that they relocated to an abandoned building at 312 Azusa Street.

A Revival Marked by the Holy Spirit

The services at Azusa Street were unlike anything the church had seen before. There was no formal worship order, planned sermons, or professional choir. Instead, the Holy Spirit guided every meeting. People prayed, sang, gave testimonies, and preached as they were led. Several distinct features characterized the revival:

1. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Speaking in tongues, as described in Acts 2, became a central sign of the Holy Spirit’s work. People from all walks of life—rich and poor, young and old—experienced this baptism, often accompanied by deep joy and boldness in their faith.

2. Miracles and Healing

Supernatural healings were commonplace. Seymour and others prayed for the sick, and many testified to being instantly healed of physical ailments.

3. Unity Across Racial and Social Lines

The revival broke barriers that had long divided the church. At a time of racial segregation, people of all ethnicities worshiped together, demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ. Seymour famously said, “The color line was washed away in the blood.”

4. Deep Repentance and Holiness

Attendees were deeply convicted of their sins and sought to live holy lives. The meetings often included extended periods of weeping and confession.

5. Missionary Impulse

The revival instilled a burden for global evangelism. Many attendees left Azusa Street and carried the message of Spirit baptism to the nations, birthing the global Pentecostal movement.

The Leadership of William J. Seymour

William J. Seymour was an unlikely leader. Blind in one eye and the son of former slaves, Seymour was a man of humility and deep faith. He spent much of his time in prayer, often kneeling behind wooden crates in the small Azusa Street mission. Seymour’s leadership style was not about promoting himself but allowing the Holy Spirit to take center stage.

His reliance on God and commitment to racial reconciliation reflected the spirit of the revival. Seymour’s life was a testament to Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (AMP).

The Impact and Legacy

By 1909, the revival’s intensity began to wane, but its impact had already spread far and wide. Missionaries inspired by Azusa Street carried the message of Spirit baptism to Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Denominations such as the Assemblies of God, the Church of God in Christ, and the Pentecostal Holiness Church trace their roots to this movement.

The Azusa Street Revival also emphasized the importance of God’s power being available to all believers, not just a select few. It reinforced the biblical truth of Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth” (AMP).

Lessons from Azusa Street

The Azusa Street Revival offers profound lessons for Christians today:

1. Revival Begins with Prayer

Like the small group on Bonnie Brae Street, revival often begins with a handful of believers crying out to God. Persistent, humble prayer invites the Holy Spirit to move. “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16, AMP).

2. The Power of the Holy Spirit

The revival reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers believers for ministry, bringing boldness, unity, and supernatural works. This power is available to every believer who seeks it.

3. Unity in Christ

Azusa Street demonstrated that the Gospel transcends race, class, and denomination. True revival brings believers together under the lordship of Christ.

4. A Call to Global Missions

The missionary impulse of Azusa Street shows us that revival is not just for personal renewal but for the advancement of God’s kingdom worldwide.

A Call for Revival Today

The Azusa Street Revival reminds us of what God can do when His people humble themselves, pray, and seek His face. It began in a small room on Bonnie Brae Street and grew into a global movement because people were willing to be vessels for the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit is available to us today.

Prayer for Revival

Lord, we thank You for the testimony of the Azusa Street Revival and the lives transformed by Your Spirit. Teach us to hunger for Your presence and seek unity within Christ’s body. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, empowering us to proclaim Your Gospel to the ends of the earth boldly. Let revival begin in our hearts today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.