Dear Editor,
Re: David Shepherd’s article, ‘Why I no longer pray for the good old days of revival’(November 2022).
In abandoning ‘old time revivalism’, David appears to play down the need for any revival prayers, focusing instead on simply proclaiming ‘the whole counsel of God (Acts 20)’. My initial thoughts were ‘brother, why choose?’ The Holy Spirit doesn’t appear to. He uses Paul’s teaching to bring many to faith (revival) in Acts 19.
The limited impact of the 1904 revival? On the contrary, the impact continues to this day. The Elim church, numbering 319,000 people in 50 nations, find their roots there. As do the Assemblies of God UK, with over 500 churches in our nation.
The limited impact of revival on church attendance at the time? There may be factors the social scientists have not considered, including the large migration to England (Welsh chapels dotted around London) and the effect of false doctrine on the revival itself.
Beyond David’s article, I do sense an indifference to ‘revival talk’ among some. Yet D.A. Carson, John Piper, J.I. Packer, Sinclair Ferguson, R.C. Sproul, Alastair Begg, Francis Schaeffer, Dr Lloyd-Jones, and John Stott, have all spoken of the need for personal, church and national revival. In his book, Center Church, Timothy Keller devotes three whole chapters to gospel renewal.
What is it we know, that these brothers don’t? What is it they know that we don’t?
For another angle, I recommend Brian Edwards’ books on revival, published by Day One.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Gordon Pastor, NW London
