Revival Stories
The 1860 Jamaican Revival
Located in the Caribbean, the island of Jamaica has a checkered history of sugar cane plantations, piracy, and slavery. Although slavery was formally ended there in 1838, the spiritual condition of the people continued to decline over the next two decades, with attendance in many churches dropping significantly. But in 1860, prayers were intensifying all around the island among the faithful believers. Many Christians had heard stories of the 1857 Fulton Street Revival in New York City, and the Jamaican Christians had begun to long deeply for revival to break out among them. Crowds of believers would participate in “Peep of Day” prayer gatherings at the crack of dawn before work would begin. By 1860, many of these passionate intercessors were confident that revival would soon come to their island.
One September day in 1860, Rev. Sonderman (a Moravian missionary) was visiting a Moravian chapel in the St. Elizabeth parish in the town of Clifton. There he witnessed a large number of believers weeping in the chapel, some crying because of an inexpressible joy in their hearts. Others were sobbing because of an overpowering awareness and conviction of their own sin. And some attendees were just very surprised at what was happening around them. Rev. Sonderman initially tried to regain some order, but he found himself overwhelmed by emotion, and he felt led to let the Holy Spirit lead the way.
On Friday September 28th, another service was held in the chapel. There was a song, followed by an opening prayer, and then a flood of amazing prayers began. One after another, people began to pray: crying out for mercy, groaning in their spirit, some physically trembling, pouring out their hearts to God. Even children prayed prayers that were unusually articulate and bold and impassioned. The power of the Holy Spirit was evident in that place. As one girl prayed, someone described sensing the Spirit of God coming “like a mighty rushing wind.”
That service lasted from morning until midnight, and then the Spirit began to spread all around the island in the coming weeks. Over 12 different towns and cities along the coast witnessed the fires of revival fall upon their prayer meetings. There was an awareness of God’s very presence, prolonged confession of sins, commitments to renounce personal immorality, and a continuous flow of people seeking salvation through Jesus Christ.
Over the next few months, thousands would gather for worship services and prayers each day, and thousands of seekers would put their faith in Christ and be baptized. Almost the entire island would hear a clear presentation of the Gospel as the Spirit stirred their spiritual hunger and drew them to the churches. The crime rate and drunkenness dropped to almost nothing. Even though there was fierce opposition from some non-believers, this revival would lead to the dramatic moral transformation of this nation. The fires of revival were still burning hot well into 1863, and many evangelists and missionaries would be raised up and sent out to neighboring islands and nations. What God had ignited on this little island would result in lasting spiritual change and impact far beyond its shores.
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
1. What emotions do you feel as you read this revival story? What elements of this account stir up the most spiritual hunger in you?
2. If you heard historic revival was breaking out in a town 100 miles from you, what would you be willing to do to see if it were true and to experience that fire for yourself? What are the challenges or obstacles that might keep you from pursuing this?
3. When you pray for revival, it helps to pray specifically. What are some specific results you want to see happen when revival finally is set afire in our city? Pray for this right now.