Fifty-three years ago, in 1970, I was a nineteen year old sophomore at Asbury College. One February morning our regular chapel was suddenly “taken over” by God’s Spirit when a senior student stood and admitted that, after almost four years, he did not have a relationship with Christ. He then walked to the front to pray. With that the “floodgates” opened and students flowed to the altar.

That was the beginning of a deep and powerful spiritual awakening that continued for 144 hours (with overflow for weeks) and extended in impact all over the world.

God’s presence was almost overwhelming at times, and we continually felt a desire to be in close and intimate connection with God. There were hours of quiet as we experienced the wonder of God’s love. There was heartfelt worship of Him as His reality washed over us. It was genuinely life-changing.

One of the most dominant reactions was the complete honesty that caused person after person to confess everything from disbelief to bad, sinful, behavior. There was a powerful urge for clean hearts and actions. People apologized to others and reconciled with friends and family. The other dominant response was a commitment to honor God and exalt Jesus Christ. Ego and selfishness faded in the light of God’s holiness. Humility was everywhere.

Now another awakening has spontaneously erupted at Asbury University. Amy and I were on campus last Wednesday when that chapel suddenly morphed into a special move of God. As of this writing, the Revival is still going with thousands of people arriving daily. There is, as in 1970, a wonderful spirit of honesty and confession along with deep worship. Jesus is again being exalted.

Pray for this awakening to spread. Pray for people to want to know and follow Jesus. Pray for the damaged lives of hurting people to be healed. Pray for God to touch and “revive” you as well.

The song we sang the most during the 1970 awakening has a chorus that says, “To God be the glory. Great things He has done.” That is still true today.

The Bible says in Psalm 85:6, “Will you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” NIV

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