On February 8, 2023, something special started in the chapel of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, USA. The Lord began to move in the lives of a group of students. These coals have now been fanned into flame, and it is obvious that God is moving visibly among us. The event has been going on for nearly two weeks as of the time of writing, with non-stop worship, singing, and praying. The event has since been dubbed “the Ashbury Revival”. Major news organisations like CNN published articles about it. This is an awakening and a revival. A place where people are widely experiencing a “revival” of spiritual vitality.
The Asbury Revival began as a regular church service and expanded from there. People lingered afterward, and the gathering gained attention on social media. Christian influencers and leaders have proudly proclaimed the Asbury Revival as an expression of the revival movement. Former US Vice President Mike Pence tweeted that the Lord is at work at Asbury and lives will be changed forever. It’s wonderful to read about, write about, or experience spiritual awakenings like this in your lifetime. Since the 1740s, revivals have been a part of the Protestant Reformation. People repenting of their sins; people being filled with the Holy Spirit; men and women finding reconciliation with God.
As Christians, we can take inspiration from the Asbury Revival and the history of Christian revivals. Biblical teachings emphasize the importance of spiritual renewal and reviving our relationship with God. This is a season to prioritize prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. This is the season to pray for a spiritual renewal and revival to sweep our dying world. Without prayer, nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished. Prayer has to be the first step towards changing our world. There must be a spiritual awakening as well as a revival. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. Come, Holy Spirit!
