23rd August 2025

Revivals And Spiritual Awakenings

If my people . . . will humble themselves . . . ,

then I will hear from heaven.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Today's Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:11–16.

Urukun is a small town in northern Australia—its Aboriginal population is drawn from seven different clans. The gospel came to Aurukun a century ago, however, eye-for-eye retribution sometimes remained. In 2015, clan tensions grew, and when a murder happened, payback required someone from the offender’s family to die in return.

But something remarkable happened in early 2016. The Christians of Aurukun started seeking God in prayer. Repentance followed, and a spiritual awakening began sweeping through the town: The Church had a revival and there were mass baptisms, and instead of enacting payback, the family of the murdered man forgave the offending clan. Soon 1,000 people were in church each Sunday—in a town of just 1,300 people!

We see revivals and awakenings like this in Scripture, as in Hezekiah’s day when crowds joyfully returned to God (2 Chronicles 30), and on the day of Pentecost when thousands repented (Acts 2:38–47). Although revival in the Church and spiritual awakenings among those outside the Church are God’s work, done in His time, history shows prayer precedes it. “If my people . . . will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,” God told Solomon, “I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

As the people of Aurukun found, revival in the Church, and a spiritual awakening among those outside the Church will bring joy and reconciliation to any village, town or city.

How our own village, town and cities need such transformation today! Father, bring revival and an awakening to us too.

Prayer: Dear Father, please bring revival to my church, and a spiritual awakening to my country, starting with me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.