Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again. (Ps 126:4, TPT)

You may or may not know the history of evangelical Christianity in America, but in the past, God has done great things. Two years ago, Ann and I visited the site of the Azusa Street Revival.  The area has been commercialized, and only a plaque remains.  As we stood there and prayed, we felt the power of the Holy Spirit sweep over us.

The First Great Awakening of 1730–1755 brought a fresh call for renewal and purity.  Preachers such as George Whitefield, John Wesley, and Jonathan Edwards brought a message to reach the heart and minds of men, women, and children.

The Second Great Awakening of 1790–1840 brought an increase in numbers to the Methodist and Baptist churches. Preaching with emotion as a response to the dryness of the enlightenment.

The Third Great Awakening of 1855–1910 saw a growing concern for social justice.

Azusa Street revival of 1906 saw an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that swept through America.  Many new denominations formed, Assemblies of God, Church of God, and Church of God in Christ. The Keswick Movement of 1858 in England saw the Welsh Revival and other moves of God that started several new Pentecostal denominations in the UK.

So, it’s 2019; the church seems to be all over the place.  Perhaps our should be the words of the psalmist, “Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.”