Tag Archives: Second Great Awakening

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

Faith, Historical Revivals, Prayer

The Second Great Awakening: A Fire of Renewal 

In the early 1800s, America was a nation in transition, grappling with rapid social, economic, and territorial changes. Amid this turbulence, a fire of spiritual renewal swept across the land, known as the Second Great Awakening. This revival profoundly shaped the spiritual and social fabric of the United States, leaving a legacy that resonates even today.

Unlike the localized revivals of earlier movements, the Second Great Awakening spread across vast regions, from rural camp meetings in Kentucky to urban churches in New England. At its core was a call to repentance, a renewed focus on salvation, and a fervent desire to see lives and communities transformed by the power of the Gospel. However, not every region welcomed this fire of spiritual renewal with open arms. Worcester, Massachusetts, for instance, became known for its resistance to revivalist preachers, reflecting a tension between traditional rationalist views and the emotional fervor of revivalist preaching.

A Movement Rooted in Prayer

The Second Great Awakening began quietly in small gatherings of believers who sought God through persistent prayer. In rural areas, Christians met in homes and barns, crying out for a fire of spiritual renewal. These gatherings often sparked larger meetings, where preachers would proclaim the Gospel with urgency and zeal.

This aligns with the biblical principle found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land” (AMP). The awakening began with humble hearts seeking God, and He responded mightily, igniting a fire of spiritual renewal that could not be extinguished.

Even in places like Worcester, where resistance to revivalism was strong due to the dominance of Unitarian and rationalist influences, prayer and persistence paved the way for the spread of this fire of spiritual renewal in surrounding areas. Though some preachers were kept out, the flames of the revival could not be contained entirely.

Camp Meetings and Fiery Preaching

One of the hallmarks of the Second Great Awakening was the rise of camp meetings, especially in the frontier regions of Kentucky and Tennessee. These outdoor gatherings often lasted for days, drawing thousands of people hungry for a fire of spiritual renewal. Preachers like James McGready and Barton Stone delivered passionate sermons, calling sinners to repentance and believers to deeper faith.

These meetings reflected the urgency of Romans 10:14: “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (AMP). The preaching in these settings brought the message of salvation to countless people who might not have heard it otherwise, fueling the fire of spiritual renewal.

In contrast, urban centers like Worcester resisted the emotional style of camp meetings. Many viewed such gatherings as disruptive and overly emotional. This resistance, however, highlights the cultural and spiritual battle lines drawn during the awakening, as revivalists sought to spread the fire of spiritual renewal to both the spiritually complacent and the unchurched.

A New Emphasis on Personal Responsibility

The Second Great Awakening differed from earlier revivals in its emphasis on personal responsibility in responding to the Gospel. Preachers like Charles Finney, who became a leading figure in the movement, stressed that individuals could make the choice to repent and follow Christ. Finney’s “new measures” included altar calls and public invitations for people to come forward and commit their lives to Christ.

Finney’s theology aligned with the call in Acts 3:19: “So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking] and return [to God], so that your sins may be wiped away, [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (AMP). His sermons stirred hearts and made repentance accessible to all, igniting a fire of spiritual renewal even in areas where resistance to change remained strong.

Impact on Society

The Second Great Awakening extended beyond personal salvation to societal transformation. It inspired the establishment of missionary societies, Sunday schools, and Bible distribution efforts. It also played a significant role in major social reform movements, including abolition, women’s rights, and temperance. Believers, transformed by the Gospel, sought to live out their faith by addressing injustices and meeting the needs of their communities. This fire of spiritual renewal burned brightly, leading to tangible changes in society.

Even in Worcester, where revivalists faced barriers, the awakening’s emphasis on social reform found traction. Organizations aimed at combating slavery and supporting education reflected the broader influence of this revivalist wave. The fire of spiritual renewal was not confined to revival meetings but extended into every corner of American life.

This revival demonstrated that true faith is not confined to private worship but influences the public sphere. As James 2:26 reminds us, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (AMP).

A Legacy of Renewal

By the mid-19th century, the Second Great Awakening had touched every corner of American society. Entire towns and cities were transformed as individuals came to faith, churches grew, and believers sought to live out the Gospel in every aspect of their lives. Even in places like Worcester, where resistance to revival was strong, the movement’s influence could not be ignored.

The awakening’s emphasis on prayer, preaching, personal responsibility, and societal change continues to inspire Christians today. It reminds us that revival begins when ordinary people, filled with the Spirit, seek God with all their hearts and proclaim His truth boldly, spreading a fire of spiritual renewal wherever they go.

Prayer for Awakening

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the testimony of the Second Great Awakening and the lives transformed through prayer, repentance, and bold preaching. Stir our hearts to seek You with that same passion today. Let Your Spirit move in our homes, churches, and communities, bringing a fire of spiritual renewal that glorifies You and transforms lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also