REVIVAL IS HERE?????

USGN Article - June 2000
Terry & Barbi Franklin
Written by Terry Franklin

While we hear much about revival being poured out on our country, recent research shows that we still are painfully in need of the gracious rain of God's grace. Widely recognized Christian researcher, George Barna, concludes that there has been no evidence to support the idea of a widespread spiritual awakening in America, and that in the last ten years attitudes have changed very little.

The survey showed that 93% of born-again Christians cited a close relationship with God as their greatest desire - the same as in 1991. But the proportion of those wanting to live close to family and relatives and be personally active in church had dropped - from 72% to 65%, and from 75% to 71%. Further, Sunday school involvement, male attendance, and church volunteering had all dropped.

Through further statistical figures Barna shows that there is still little difference between the hopes and dreams of most believers and their unbelieving counterparts. "Americans have endured a lot of significant changes and shaping events in the past decade," Barna said. "Yet the basic priorities of most people have remained unaffected by those events and influences. People still want health, relationships and meaning more than anything else."

We hear of "Holy Ghost Outbreaks" and "Revival Outpourings." A television station hired musical talent, and high-energy preachers....and...presto-chango, it's a "Summer Revival Explosion!!!"

I recognize that in our current culture people will not come unless something is advertised in this way...but is it revival? Or will it be a sovereign, gracious move of God that beats anything we've ever seen manufactured by human means....with the power to change night to day in our country.
Oh, how we need it desperately!!

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©2000 Terry & Barbi Franklin.