Over the past six to eight months I have been praying almost daily that God would send a revival to our country. I have often heard this theme on T.V. and radio programs. Many Christian leaders think our country is heading down the wrong path on a myriad of moral issues, and I think they’re correct. It is particularly puzzling to see this decline when over 80% of our country’s population claim the name of Christian as their identity. I would think that 240 million people following in the path of their Savior Jesus Christ would preclude that abortion, adultery, divorce, child abuse, spousal abuse, pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse, and a host of other criminal problems would be rare in our society, hence the call for REVIVAL. First I would like to give a definition of the word revival that I have found meaningful: Revival - a religious awakening that sweeps through a congregation or even an entire nation. A revival is characterized by fervor in worship, an awareness of personal sin, an eagerness to seek forgiveness from God and from other people, and an eagerness to share one’s experience with others. The Great Awakening of 1740 was an important revival in American history.1 It brought the colonies together religiously and spiritually. A Bible verse that mirrors this concept is found in the Old Testament book of II Chronicles 7:14: God speaking to King Solomon (one of the wisest men who ever lived, he wrote most of the book of Proverbs) said, “Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land”. Note that this is a promise from God to His people. God doesn’t say that all people in the land must act, but those who call themselves by His name. I think we as Christians underestimate the power we have to change our country if we would just be obedient to God and seek His Face!   Conversely, if we, who claim the name of Jesus, walk in wicked, evil ways against God, then our land will lie in ruin. We will be susceptible to the punishment of God.
	Pagan Monument - as Joshua neared the end of his life he warned the Israelites against turning away from the Lord to follow idols.

So Christian, are you ready for a revival? It starts with us! As the Hebrew leader Joshua commanded his people saying, “So honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly.  Serve the Lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve, but as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  Join me as we humble ourselves, pray and seek the face of our Savior Jesus Christ, while turning from our sin and receiving His forgiveness. He will hear us and heal our land as He has promised!

My challenge for you dear Christian friend is to obey II Chronicles 7:14, pass this article onto every Christian that you know, and expect a great miracle of revival and healing from our Great God!

If you made it this far and are questioning whether you are a Christian then the following may be helpful:

1. God is perfect and requires us to be perfect.
2. We are sinful and fall short of God’s standards.
3. God has provided a way for us to be perfect.
4. Faith, belief, and trust in Jesus Christ (God in Flesh) and His death on the Cross and His rising from the dead will give you eternal life.
5. Through prayer confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, turn from your sin and turn to God the Father. Commune with God through prayer and reading the Bible.

A more through explanation of the Gospel can be found at the following Bill Graham website:  http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp

¹ Ilumina Gold, A Bible & Encyclopedia Software, 2003 Tyndale House Publishers