Revive Us Again!

From 1857 to 1859 a revival swept New York City that became part of what is called the Third Great Awakening. Jeremiah Lanphier, a 48 year old businessman, began a prayer meeting on Fulton Street. Not many people attended the prayer meeting at first. But then the stock market crashed. Soon hundreds of New Yorkers were gathering for prayer. Within months, six thousand people were gathering at noon for prayer throughout New York City. It is reported that fifty thousand New Yorkers came to faith and an estimated one million people came to the Lord during this time. Sometimes we want to pray for a robust, strong economy in our nation. We shouldn’t pray for a bad economy, but here is what we should pray: "Lord, send a revival to America, no matter what it takes." Sometimes when there is an economic downturn or a military threat or other events we are concerned about, we will turn to God. Our country needs a spiritual awakening. The prophet Habakkuk understood the need for a revival in his day when he prayed, "O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”