What Does Asbury Mean for You?
What does Asbury Mean for You?
A move of God is happening and we’re right in the middle of it!
The news is everywhere. From a normal, mid-week chapel service where a small number of students wanted to stay and continue worshipping. They had no idea that the Spirit of God was about to descend, causing the worship to continue 24/7 for the next two and a half weeks; moving thousands to come from all over the United States.
It’s so exciting! The entire Church and world are wondering what God is up to? What will happen from this?
Is this the beginning of the next world-wide revival?
Our daughter has been with Circuit Riders, a college ministry of Youth with a Mission for the last two years. Sending out teams of college-age young adults to different zones of the US to hold two-day evangelism and worship events on 400 campuses between January and March. Not just to itty-bitty schools but State Universities and Ivy Leagues. Her Northeast team held meetings at Harvard a few weeks ago.
Spreading across campus, they invite students to a worship night where the love and presence of God descends on the group, bringing to life those that have never known Christ and filling those who have with the transforming love of God and His Spirit.
During our monthly Morning Alone with God in February, Pastor Wally spent his time praying about the Asbury revival. During our closing, he shared with us that through his study and observation as people have been flooding to Asbury, he discovered that every revival in history has started with the young people.
The open, hungry, unhindered, childlike. The ones who read what the bible says and go out and talk to people on the street. If someone they meet is in bondage, they pray and believe God will deliver him. If someone needs healing, they pray and watch for God to bring it. If someone has never been born again, they pray and watch for God to bring them new life.
And the fire has spread. Asbury College revival is finished but the sparks ignited new flames. Other revivals have sprung up and the Lord is pouring out His Spirit.
While the Revival was happening, I wondered if I should get to Asbury to be a part of what God was doing. I’ve heard some people preach that we should do what those students did and hold 24/7 prayer services. If we tarry God will do the same thing in our churches that he did there.
But something about that doesn’t sit right with me.
It wasn’t anything they “tried” to do. It wasn’t a formula. It was simply having hearts full of love for God and following the impression He put in their hearts to stay longer to worship without even labeling it an impression at all!
Instead of copying their methodology, what if we paid attention to the hunger the Asbury Revival is stirring in us? Obey, whatever this hunger of God is moving you to do. For me, Asbury is making me want to pause in my busy life, get on my knees and praise God for what He is doing. Pray for the continued outpouring of his Spirit over all people throughout the world. To lean into how he would have me to repent, follow and worship him with all my life and strength.
My heart is asking, “Abba, what does revival look like for me?
I wonder if that’s what your heart is saying, too?
If it is, we can pray this prayer together with expectation and follow how God leads; no matter if we’re in Kentucky, Michigan, Alaska, or Timbuktu, whether we’re 21, 35, 50 or 91.
He’s with us. The same God and the same will to fill us to overflowing with His Spirit and lifelong, passionate, personal Revival.