REVIVAL!

In Wales crowds are already gathering to remember the centenary of, 'The Welsh Revival' when newspapers had to print special editions to report what God was doing! Simultaneously in North and South Wales in the second week of November 1904, and obviously without any human organisation, the overwhelming presence of God was felt over wide areas with dramatic results. By January 1905 church attendance had increased by 74,000!

Revivals are Spiritual awakenings around the world that began 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus when the Holy Spirit was given. Revival begins when God wakes up sleepy Christians! This makes them pray and live more Christ-like lives so that God's power is released and whole communities changed. Here are some examples.

Lloyd George spoke of a tavern in his Flintshire constituency where the total takings one Saturday night were 4½d. Many publicans became bankrupt because the miners were crowding into the chapels and enjoying hymn singing and the preaching of God's Word. Down the mines pit ponies could no longer understand the miner's instructions because of the absence of oaths and curses! Men even arrived early for work in order to begin the day down the mines in a prayer meeting!

Above ground housewives had more money and shopkeepers were delighted to have bad debts paid off! Many firms had stolen goods returned. Family feuds were healed and gossiping tongues silenced. In the mining valleys of Glamorgan an NSPCC inspector said that there had been such a remarkable improvement in the care of children by their parents, that he no longer had to watch families he had previously expected to prosecute.

Today's empty chapels are a solemn reminder that only, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a shame to any people." [ Proverbs 14:34 ]. May God awaken us to see that, "His ways are ways of pleasantness and all His paths are peace." [ Proverbs 3:17 ].