REVIVAL. Look at that word again – it stirs something deep within the heart. Revival has been prayed for countless times—perhaps even billions. It is a prayer awaiting fulfilment. But when it comes, what will it look like?
Many young leaders in the Church today have never experienced a powerful encounter with God’s manifest presence like those seen in revivals or past outpourings of the Spirit.
“Revival is the acceleration of the work of grace in the believer’s life.” Jonathan Edwards
While we cannot predict with certainty how the next great move of God will unfold, history offers some clues. Each revival has had its own unique character, shaped by the cries of its time. Yet beneath the diversity lies a consistent pattern.
If we read the times carefully, seek God humbly, and learn from what has come before, we might glimpse what is to come—and that both encourages and inspires.
Personally, my life was transformed under the preaching of Alex Tee, a member of the revivalist George Jeffries’ evangelistic team. Later in life, I discovered that George Jeffries was prayed for during the Azusa Street outpouring in 1906. My hunger for revival has been lifelong, but history shows that God rarely repeats Himself—He does something new, something fresh.
“Revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.” Charles Finney
Reflecting on past revivals reveals characteristics that might define the next move of God. The coming revival is likely to be marked by a return to radical holiness—not a rigid, rule-bound holiness, but one born of deep intimacy with God.
In a world of distractions and surface-level spirituality, the Spirit will likely draw people into deeper communion, marked by a hunger for true transformation. Nominalism will be challenged. The next revival may be less focused on dramatic manifestations and more on lives steeped in holiness, humility, and the radiant beauty of Christ.
We may discover a quieter, deeper fire within the Christian walk. The era of explosive stadium gatherings and high-profile events could give way to a grassroots, decentralised move of God. Imagine small prayer communities emerging across cities, with ordinary homes becoming epicentres of God’s presence. Believers might rediscover the power of prayer and intercession in hidden places. The revival may begin not in conference halls but around kitchen tables, where the Spirit moves through simple acts of love, hospitality, and close fellowship.
A New Prophetic Voice
“Revival is a community saturated with God.” Duncan Campbell
We live in a fractured world, divided along political, racial, and cultural lines. Yet revival has always brought unlikely people together under the Lordship of Christ. The next outpouring may be marked by a supernatural unity that transcends denominational boundaries, ethnicity, and generations. This unity might give rise to a new and vigorous prophetic voice.
Where prophecy once centred on personal words of encouragement, this revival could see prophetic voices challenging both the Church and society, calling us back to justice, righteousness, and holiness. These voices may emerge not only from pulpits but also from places of influence in culture, arts, politics, and social systems.
Hunger for Authenticity
“The only reason we don’t have revival is because we are willing to live without it.” Leonard Ravenhill
In a world saturated with superficiality, there is an increasing hunger for something real. Young people, in particular, long for authenticity and are weary of consumer-driven faith that prioritises performance over substance. The next revival will likely be driven by this desire for genuine encounters with God that lead to transformed lives.
The cry for justice is also louder than ever. As global consciousness focuses on inequities and injustices, I believe the Spirit is stirring a revival that unites the pursuit of righteousness with the pursuit of justice.
“Before we can have a worldwide revival, we must have a revival in our homes.” William Seymour 1906
In previous revivals, social justice was often secondary. Now, it could be front and centre as God’s people rediscover the link between a holy life and a heart for the marginalised. We may see a move where evangelism and social justice walk hand in hand, grounded not in human activism but in God’s overwhelming power and compassion.
Our culture is also exhausted, running on the fumes of self-reliance. As society grows more polarised and anxious, people will seek refuge in something transcendent. The next revival could emerge as a counter-cultural movement, offering Christ’s peace and rest to a generation burdened by constant striving.
A Steady Flame, Not a Flash in the Pan
Like the bush that burned but was not consumed…
Past revivals have often burned brightly but briefly. Emotional highs, rapid growth, and mass gatherings have their place, but they can be unsustainable. The next move of God could be marked by a slower, steadier burn—a revival that prioritises discipleship over excitement, depth over spectacle. “When God acts, He can do more in a minute than man with his organising can do in fifty years.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones
To sustain such a move, a strong theological foundation will be crucial. The Sunderland outpouring under the Gotts exemplified this with its Christ-centred, Scripture-honouring preaching. Shallow roots cannot weather life’s storms, but a revival built on a robust understanding of God’s Word, paired with the Spirit’s power, can endure. As in Jonathan Edwards’ time, there could be a renewed appetite for doctrinal truth, united with Spirit-filled living—a combination often tragically divided. The Word and the Spirit have never been at odds—only in our perception.
Preparing the Soil
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven on Earth.”John Wesley
Revival is God’s sovereign work, but He often uses seasons of preparation. Right now, seeds are being sown in prayer rooms, small groups, and hidden places where believers are crying out for more.
There is growing dissatisfaction with the status quo and a longing for something deeper. If history teaches us anything, it is that God moves when His people are humble, hungry, and united in pursuing Him. While we cannot fully predict what the next outpouring will look like, one thing is certain: it will be characterised by a return to first loves—a rediscovery of holiness, a hunger for God’s presence, and a passion for His Kingdom.
What encourages me most is this: if past movements are any guide, it might catch us off guard—happening where we least expect, through those we might overlook, in ways we could never plan. You are part of this adventure! May we be ready when it comes, with hearts prepared and hands open to receive whatever new thing God is ready to do.
If there is something you would like to pray for, then pray it starts in Sheffield, England. At Emmanuel Church, we eagerly anticipate those first few sparks…
