DO IT AGAIN, LORD!
In 1940, Professor Edwin Orr of Wheaton University led a group of theology students to England, where they visited sites of great revivals. One location was the Epworth rectory, the part-time home of John Wesley, a famous reformer who led a spiritual renewal movement in the 1700s. As a man of prayer, Wesley interceded for revival to sweep through England, and to spread to America as well. Dr. Orr pointed out two worn places on the carpet next to Wesley’s bed, where the great reformer knelt for hours in prayer each day, crying out for revival.
As the tour concluded, the students loaded the bus. After counting them, Orr noticed one was missing. He returned to the house, and eventually located the lost student in John Wesley’s bedroom— kneeling on the worn impressions where Wesley had fervently prayed for revival. The student was repeatedly pleading, “Do it again, Lord! Do it again… And would you do it again with me.”
Placing his hand on the young man’s shoulder Orr said, “Son, it’s time to leave. Everyone’s on the bus.” The student slowly rose, and then that young man… Billy Graham… joined the rest of his class… and through him, God did it again! Why? Because Billy Graham was passionate to see God bring revival, as in days past.
In Habakkuk 3:2, the prophet expressed that same longing. “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day.” Like Billy Graham, his cry was: “Do it again, Lord!”
Deep inside, doesn’t your heart resonate with the same longing? Aren’t you tired of just reading about revival? I want to see God move powerfully— supernaturally, in our day as He did in the past. Our world is upside down. Besides COVID, racial tensions, fires, hurricanes and record-setting heatwaves, we all face a plethora of personal problems. Only a move of God can save us. When we cry out, God hears us.
What would happen if we were bold enough to ask God to “Do it again?” Let’s make a deal. How about every day we kneel in prayer as Billy Graham did; as John Wesley did; as Habakkuk did? Let’s cry out from our hearts those same words, “Do it again, Lord!” Then watch God move.
Principle: We long to see God “Do it again” and bring revival.
Promise: When we cry out, God hears us.
Ponder:
On a scale of one to ten, how deeply do I long for God to set things right?
What commitments am I willing to make to see God “Do it again?”
Prayer: Lord, we rejoice in stories of past revivals. But our hearts yearn to see that in our day. Do it again, Lord!
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Habakkuk chapter three.
Perceptions: Record any ideas God puts on your heart from today’s devotional.