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Revival is a season when God, by His Spirit, renews the spiritual life of His people with unusual power, so that believers return to Him in repentance and love, and many who didn't know Him come to faith. It begins with the church being revived, and it overflows into the community.
The word means "to live again". It assumes something was alive and has grown cold. That's why the Bible's revival prayers are mostly prayed by God's people, for God's people.
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psalm 85:6
What the Bible says about revival
- It is God's work. "LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day" (Habakkuk 3:2). People can't manufacture it; they can only seek it.
- It comes through humility and repentance. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
- It brings refreshing. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
- It looks like Pentecost. The Spirit was poured out, the Gospel was preached boldly, people were "cut to the heart", and the church devoted itself to teaching, fellowship, prayer and generosity (Acts 2:37–47).
What history shows
Church history records many seasons that believers have recognised as revivals. A few of the best known: the First Great Awakening in Britain and the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, associated with preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield; the Welsh Revival of 1904–1905; the Azusa Street meetings in Los Angeles from 1906; and the Hebrides Revival on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland from 1949.
They differed in culture and style, but they share common threads: sustained, humble prayer, often by a few ordinary people, before anything visible happened; deep conviction of sin; a fresh love for Scripture and for Jesus; and lives and communities that were visibly changed.
Signs of genuine revival
Emotion and crowds can accompany revival, but they aren't the test. Scripture points to fruit:
- Conviction and repentance. People grieve over sin and turn from it, and relationships are made right.
- A hunger for God's word and for prayer. Believers can't get enough of Scripture or of being with God.
- Jesus at the centre. The Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16:14), not a personality or a movement.
- Bold witness and new believers. The Gospel spreads, and people come to faith and are baptised.
- Love that changes neighbourhoods. Generosity, reconciliation and care for the poor follow (Acts 4:32–35).
- Lasting fruit. The real test is months and years later: "by their fruit you will recognise them" (Matthew 7:20).
Revival, renewal and awakening
People use these words differently. A common distinction: renewal is God refreshing a person or congregation; revival is a wider season of renewal among His people; and awakening is when that overflows into the culture, with large numbers coming to faith and society being affected. Whatever the label, the source is the same: God's Spirit at work.
How to pray for revival
- Start with yourself. Revival begins with "my people". Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23–24).
- Pray Scripture back to God. Psalm 85, Habakkuk 3:2, 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 64:1 are prayers for revival.
- Pray for your city by name. Its leaders, churches, neighbourhoods and the forgotten. See how to pray for your city.
- Pray with others. Revivals have often been preceded by small groups praying together persistently. Join or start one.
- Keep sharing the Gospel. Prayer and witness go together. Read what evangelism is and what the Gospel is.
Revival in Canada
We believe Canada is ripe for a fresh move of God, because we keep meeting people hungry for Him. In 2026 that hunger was visible: at Jesus Festival Hamilton, the festival team reported 70+ people giving their lives to Jesus and 50+ baptisms in Gage Park, as early reports. God Heal Our Land calls believers across Canada to the four conditions of 2 Chronicles 7:14: humility, prayer, seeking God's face and repentance. You can join that call today.
Join the movement
Prayer, gathering and outreach across the network.
- God Heal Our Land (GodHealOurLand.com): A national call to prayer, repentance, and revival for Canada, built on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Interdenominational and free to join.
- Jesus Festival (JesusFestival.ca): Gathering cities around worship, the Gospel, prayer, and unity across the whole local church.
- Love on The World (LoveonTheWorld.com): Mobilizing believers to love people, share Jesus, and serve their communities with bold compassion.
Quick answers
What is revival in the Bible?
Revival is a season when God, by His Spirit, renews the spiritual life of His people with unusual power, so that believers return to Him in repentance and love and many others come to faith. Key passages include Psalm 85:6, Habakkuk 3:2, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Acts 2 and Acts 3:19.
What are the signs of a true revival?
Conviction of sin and repentance, a hunger for Scripture and prayer, Jesus at the centre, bold witness and new believers, love that changes communities, and fruit that lasts long after the meetings end.
How do you pray for revival?
Start by asking God to search your own heart, pray Scriptures like Psalm 85 and 2 Chronicles 7:14, pray for your city by name, pray persistently with others, and keep sharing the Gospel.
What is the difference between revival and awakening?
A common distinction is that revival describes God renewing His people, while an awakening is when that renewal overflows into the wider culture with many people coming to faith.
What are some famous revivals in history?
Well-known examples include the First Great Awakening in the 1730s and 1740s, the Welsh Revival of 1904–1905, the Azusa Street meetings from 1906, and the Hebrides Revival from 1949.