The Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, was an unprecedented move of God of global proportions:
Acts 2:1-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!
The fire of Pentecost fell and ultimately transformed the lives of those present, and they in turn transformed the world with their witness of the saving grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Since that time, revival fires have burned brilliantly for a season and then subsided and lay smoldering in the frigid dark nights of those who have lost their way.
Paul R. Dienstberger describes the circumstances out of which revivals have been birthed. “…[T]here appeared to be cycles like the book of Judges. First a period of spiritual fervor and blessing, then a falling away, then a revival of spiritual activity, then religious regression, and the cycles continued to repeat the pattern.” In their desperation, while at what the Psalmist declares is “their wit’s end,” the people cry out to God. Such heartfelt cries have gone out at various times for God to “send another Pentecost.” As fervent prayers arise God responds and sends forth times of revival or refreshing.
Elmer L Towns and Douglas Porter in their well-researched work, The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever, offer this definition of the term: “. . . God pouring Himself out on His people.” Revivals are characterized as a “visitations from God,” breaking out in many places around the world, not just in one place. The authors explain these powerful phenomena are not just isolated events but “moves of God” or “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.”
Towns and Porter cite the late Dr. J. Edwin Orr, who believes history’s greatest revival took place in the early years of the Twentieth Century, including the Welsh Revival, affecting Great Britain and Europe; the Asuza Street Revival, with its earth-shaking change upon America’s religious landscape, and the Korean Pentecost, the Manchurian Revival, and the Mizo Outpouring, impacting nations of the Far East.
This outpouring occurred in the first part of the Twentieth Century, leading up to what Towns and Porter describe as The Baby Boomer Revival—1965-1975. Also known as the Jesus Movement, this revival started primarily among young people in California and along the East Coast. This period also included the Asbury College Revival, sparking similar revivals in colleges across America and in other parts of the globe. Since that time, believers have been seeking to catch the wave of the next approaching revival movement. As the Twentieth Century drew to a close, various prophetic voices spoke of another move of God, a coming “spiritual tsunami” that would dwarf all preceding movements.
“There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer,” A.T. Pierson
The present conditions with the COVID-19 global pandemic serve as sparks to ignite a mammoth revival fire of unprecedented magnitude. In light of Pierson’s statement, not only America, but the entire world has been calling out for strength and wisdom to deal with the devastating consequences of the current viral outbreak. One of the global prayer initiatives, UNITE714, focuses on calling out to God and praying 2 Chronicles 7:14 at 7:14 a.m. and 7:14 p.m. daily:
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The prayer movement which brought together churches, pastors, leaders, and individuals across the globe to pray for a miraculous healing of our lands from the coronavirus and a spiritual awakening among the nations, culminated on Pentecost Sunday 2020.
Reflecting on the Day on the Pentecost and its significance to the world inspired this original psalm of praise.
The Song of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4
Those with ears to hear seek your song of grace.
With no song to soothe the soul, all is lost.
Your melody makes life a quiet place
When the heart sings the song of Pentecost.
There in Eden’s garden fell the first frost
Where stillborn silence chilled the human race.
The purest harmony with God was lost.
Those with ears to hear seek your song of grace.
Voices of patriarchs could not replace
The inner melody from God. At most
Their sound was an echo, only a trace.
With no song to soothe the soul, all is lost.
With the sign of blood upon the doorpost
Moses led Israel toward the promised place.
The lyrics of the Law were their guidepost.
Your melody makes life a quiet place.
Man hears life’s sublime music in the grace
By Jesus Christ, who died and rose to post
A higher law that death cannot erase
When the heart sings the song of Pentecost.
Sound of rushing mighty wind: the signpost,
The prelude to the promised song of grace.
With the outpouring of the Holy Ghost,
The song of Pentecost can now embrace
Those with ears to hear.
One of the songs by Elevation Worship heard during the UNITE714 prayer event reminds us of the transforming power of God: Graves into Gardens:
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