I am a student of Christian revival past and present, because they encourage and inspire like few other accounts can. Also because God is stirring up revival today in different parts of the world. See also my post on the Reading Outpouring and the link below to my latest revival book, called “GRACE OUTPOURINGS“. So here are my 5 recommended books on Christian revival:

Preparing for Revival – Brian Mills

Brian Mills was mentored by the great Dr Edwin Orr. Orr was one of greatest authorities on the history of revival and also caught a great passion for revival. This passion pours forth when he preaches, prays and writes, such that you also catch the vision.

He divides “Preparing for Revival” into three parts, what is Christian revival, features of revival and who wants revival. This provides a very comprehensive overview. He points out that all revivals are different. God is not prescriptive and we must bear this in mind when praying for revival.

In particular, he covers some of the keys to seeing Christian revival which we need to re-focus on today. Firstly, the role of prayer in initiating revival and fanning the flames.

Secondly, the need for humble repentance before the Lord. How can we preach and pray for conviction of sins of others if we are not truly walking with the Lord in purity?

Thirdly, how God used those who had a great hunger for more of God’s presence. As Frank Bartleman says ”Only the person who lives in fellowship with divine reality can be used to call the people of God”.

Mills illustrates everything with some of the best stories and quotes on revival and it’s worth the purchase just for these!

It’s Time – Richard Crisco

Crisco was the youth leader when revival broke out at Brownsville Pentecostal Church in 1995. “It’s Time” is worth it just for the introductory chapter which describes how he took some of his youth group to a weekend youth retreat. But instead they prayed the whole time in the van travelling there, at the retreat and on the way home, even missing out food to continue praying. When Crisco saw tears running down their cheeks on the way home, he knew that something big was on the way.

Crisco describes the youth Christian revival, characterised by prayer, repentance and radical transformation. His youth group grew from 100 to 600 in six months and the revival began to spread to many schools as well.

The book is full of amazing stories of teenagers on fire for God. The big lesson of this book is if God did this in the USA in 1995, He can surely do it again, if we begin to seek Him afresh for fresh outpourings.

George Whitefield – Dallimore Volumes 1 and 2

Dallimore  treats us to a very comprehensive look at this famous evangelist, who stirred up the flames of Christian revival on two continents. He also gives the best account of the First Great Awakening I have ever read. Although “George Whitefield“ is two large volumes, it is so well written and so engaging that it is a constant delight to read. Whitefield’s life inspires in so many areas not just his preaching.

Many writers simply base their information on what others have gathered and written. However, Dallimore goes back to all the original sources, letters and contemporaries of this period to give us a very full picture of what went on. He gives us enormous information on the four main revival movements (Calvinistic Methodism, Whitefield’s followers, Wesleyan Methodism and the Moravians). Also the lives of other revivalists like Howell Harris, John Cennick, Charles Wesley and Jonathan Edwards.

There is a lot of surprising information that comes out. For instance, the proof that Whitefield was a brilliant organiser like Wesley, why Whitefield ended up not founding a movement with his name and some of the awful errors and faults of the revivalists. This gives real depth and insight into the realities of Christian revival and how God works through flawed characters and God’s amazing patience with this.

Great Revivals –Colin Whittaker

When I first obtained a copy of “Great Revivals” I used to read it late into the night and pray for revival today. Whittaker tells stirring accounts of the modern period of revivals from the 18^th Century to the present day. The way God uses different means in different times and places is very striking. This means that there is no model for a Christian revival, though there are principles. So we must throw ourselves at the Lord and seek Him for fresh outpourings. It also means that the book gives a breadth of accounts to draw and learn from.

Some of the key early revivals it covers are the First Great Awakening. This started in New England in 1734 and spread to Wales, England, Ireland and America. The “Prayer Revival” of 1858-1860 that broke out in New York and spanned two continents. Also the Welsh revival of 1904 that had a worldwide impact.

It also gives the background to more recent revivals. They are very helpful to understanding some of the present movements today like the Korean revival and the explosion of growth in Latin America, that continues today.

Whittaker also summarises the lives of many instruments of revival. Some well known like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Duncan Campbell and Yonggi Cho. Others less well-known like Howell Harris, Jeremiah Lanphier, Daniel Berg, Tommy Hicks, John Sung and Nicholas Bhengu (‘The Black Billy Graham’) who deserve our attention.

Azusa Street – Frank Bartleman

Bartleman was an evangelist and writer who documented the events of the Asuza Street Revival that started in Los Angeles and impacted the world. He was greatly used by God as one of the catalysts of the revival. He did this through his deep intercession, writing and exhortations. So we have a unique first-hand account of those God used as instruments of revival.

There are a number of things that are of great interest in “Azusa Street“. Firstly, the powerful spirit of intercession that came upon people to pray with faith for revival.

Secondly, the reality of God’s presence among them, that led Bartleman to say that heaven had come to earth.

Thirdly, how God largely used the unknown and unrecognised to initiate the revival.

Fourthly, how Spirit led meetings were and how whenever men tried to organise things again, the Spirit would gradually leave.

Fifthly, the Spirit of repentance that came upon Christians and non-Christians alike.

Sixthly, the absence of party-spirit or prejudice among the Azusa Street people. This made it open to all, allowing the Spirit to have His way. It was only later when the leaders began to organise it into a denomination that trouble, division and opposition began to arise. We need to learn from these mistakes.

If we could capture this amazing spirit of Christian revival today we would surely see some big breakthroughs.

REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL BOOK

If you are interested in a 21 day devotional guide based on revivals  see “GRACE OUTPOURINGS“.

It includes stories from the Reading Outpouring and more insight into what God is doing currently.