Revival Stories

The 433A.D. Revival in Ireland



In the period leading up to the 5th century, Ireland was a beautiful island, lush with emerald green fields, but also enveloped in deep darkness, as warlords and mystical druids held sway over the land. Raiders would also often take their ships and venture to the nearby islands to terrorize and enslave those they encountered. The inhabitants of Ireland wielded a barbaric reputation in those days, and they lived their lives devoid of the Gospel.

In the year 400AD in Roman-occupied Britain, a young boy named Patrick and some of his friends one day were playfully exploring the coastland near his home village. Patrick had been born into a Christian family, but although his own father had served as a church deacon, he himself never took his faith seriously and was practically an atheist in his teenage years. That day, marauders from Ireland landed on their coast and abducted the young 16 year old Patrick and his friends, taking them back to Ireland on their slave ship. There, Patrick was sold as property and forced to work as a shepherd for the Chieftain Milchu on the slopes of the Slemish Mountains.

Milchu was a Druid high priest, and Patrick learned from him the Druidic religion of the Irish. But during those cold, hungry, and lonely years, Patrick also encountered God the Father who protected him, and he drew near to Jesus who alone was his Savior. He would often, throughout the day and night, cry out to God and seek the Lord in prayer. One night, after six years as a slave, during a time of extended prayer and fasting, he heard the Spirit tell him that he would soon return to his home country. Shortly after, God told him, “See, your ship is ready.” So, Patrick escaped from his captors and hiked 200 miles to the west coast. There, God provided a ship that did eventually allow him to board and travel all the way back to his home.

Patrick was relieved to finally be free and back home. But as his faith continued to grow, one night he experienced a dream where the Irish people were beckoning him to please return to them because they needed him. He resolved to train as a minister so that he could go back as a missionary. He was in his 40’s when he finally was sent back to the Emerald Isle where he had once been enslaved. There he boldly spoke to priests and kings alike, calling for them to end their worship of pagan gods. He longed to see the Good News spread throughout the island regions. As an itinerant evangelist, he was not always welcomed by the fierce inhabitants, but he passionately preached the Gospel and supernaturally overcame attacks from evil spirits as well as released miracles of healing. It’s been reported that he raised more than 30 people from the dead during his journeys. Always persistent in prayer, he once fasted for 40 days and nights for the salvation of the Irish people. After 29 years of ministry, he was used to bring countless thousands to the Lord and to help start hundreds of churches. He also left a legacy of advocating for the end of slavery in society. God honored Patrick’s faith and boldness and compassionate obedience as the Holy Spirit moved mightily through him to bring the fires of revival to Ireland.

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:

  1. When have you had to go through a life difficulty that greatly altered the course of your life and challenged your life? Where did God fit in? What hard situations in your life has God used to bring a blessing to others?
  2. How has God spoken His purposes to you during your life? How has God taken your steps of faith and brilliantly turned impossible situations into praiseworthy outcomes?
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