Revival Stories

The 1904 Welsh Revival: Lessons Learned (Pt 4)


In 1904, God responded to the intensifying revival prayers of believers in Wales by pouring out His Spirit in various places. One young man Evan Roberts had been praying for revival daily for 13 years. That year, at 26 years of age, Evan, the son of an ordinary coal miner, was raised up and sent out by God despite little formal education to spread the revival throughout the nation, leading to a profound impact around the world.

What are some of the lessons we can draw from this revival?

One unmistakable lesson is the significance of prayer. Not just any prayer, but prayers that long for Christ to be exalted and for God to restore life to the church. These are prayers for revival. Prayers that are fueled by the story of Pentecost and the early church and the stories of historical revival. Prayers that affirm our spiritual bankruptcy when mankind too easily relies upon its own resources and power. Prayers that desperately call upon our Savior and God to rescue us from sin and this world’s darkness. Prayers that ask God to transform our city, our nation, our world. In the years preceding 1904, Wales was steeped in prayer for revival. Individuals like Evan Roberts and Seth Joshua and many other believers committed themselves to pray for this. Persistently. Passionately. And their hunger and longing for more of the Holy Spirit only intensified over time. No revival is ever birthed without a significant movement of prayer.

Another lesson is the importance of encouragement and guarding one’s heart from undue criticism. Real revival is not well-received by all Christians. At one revival meeting in 1904, a church leader told the revivalist before the service began: “I have prayed that the Holy Spirit not come today.”The stubbornness of this person was quite discouraging. In spite of this petty man, God decided to pour out a mighty move of the Spirit on the whole church that day. In another incident, Evan Roberts found himself being publicly criticized in the newspaper by a well-known and highly educated pastor in that town. Evan was accused of not leading the true revival. In fact, the pastor promoted his own brand of revival meetings to compete with Evan Roberts. Evan kept quiet, but the discouraging words cut deeply. By 1906, Evan was feeling the weight of a hectic schedule and the self-doubts inflicted by his critics. As he struggled with the effects of depression, he was convinced to back away and retire from the revival by jealous leaders.Although the Welsh revival continued on a bit longer through other believers, it lost a very pure and powerful spokesperson whom God had chosen for the task. Revivalists need to surround themselves with trustworthy friends who can re-affirm their calling from God.

A final lesson is found in that the revival itself brought about profound changes in society. God used revival to deeply change individual hearts, but this powerful move of the Holy Spirit also transformed the fabric of society and the character of the culture. This led to healthier families and relationships, reduction of debts and crimes, and progress in social justice. Today, as God’s very presence touches lives, it also powerfully impacts neighborhoods and cities and nations and the future of nations. It begins with revival. It starts with God’s mighty outpouring of His Spirit upon a people and a place. Let’s not forget nor trivialize revival. Let’s not rush to get past its messy aspects. Seek revival because it means pursuing His presence in our midst. Press into revival and let God do a miracle to make history in your midst.


QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:

  1. Regarding the lesson of the need for prayer, how would you describe the kind of prayer that sparks revival? How would you describe the characteristics of the intercessors who precede these great moves of God? What is one thing you need to change today so that you are more effective in praying for the next great awakening?
  2. What do you think would be your natural tendency: to encourage the next revivalists God raises up, or to question and discourage them in their calling? How can you encourage those who are chosen by God for this task?
  3. Some problems in society are God-sized challenges that require a true revival from God to address them. Who can you share with this coming year about revival? What impossible things could God do in your city to change history miraculously?
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