A revival is a Christian term for spiritual awakening or renewal, either within a congregation or among the wider community. It can also name a temporary series of evangelistic services, often led by a visiting preacher, with prayer, music, preaching, testimony, and an invitation to commit or deepen one’s faith.
What does revival mean in Christianity?
In church use, a revival describes a time when people are said to become more aware of God, turn from sin, renew a relationship with God, or return to active faith. The term is especially common among evangelical Protestants, including Baptist, Methodist, Holiness, Pentecostal, and charismatic churches. It is not exclusive to them; Catholics, Anglicans, and some other traditions also use “revival” for historical awakenings or renewal gatherings.
The English word means a return to life or activity. Christian communities in America have long used “revival” for periods of widespread religious awakening, including the colonial era and the Second Great Awakening of the early 1800s. Camp meetings and tent revivals helped make extended gatherings familiar, and some churches mark the anniversary of a historic revival with special services.
What happens at a revival meeting?
A revival meeting is commonly a short series of services, often held on consecutive nights. A guest evangelist or revival speaker may preach, local leaders may lead hymns or contemporary worship, and attendees may share personal accounts of faith. Some meetings include an altar call, when people are invited to come forward for prayer or counseling. A testimony is a personal account of the speaker’s faith or experience.
How is a revival different from regular worship?
A Sunday worship service usually follows the congregation’s regular order of worship. A revival meeting is a special event with an evangelistic emphasis, and it may include features not found in an ordinary service, such as an altar call or public testimonies. Not every revival produces many converts, and a church can speak of revival as a season of renewed faith without holding a separate meeting.
It is also distinct from a regular prayer meeting, although both may include prayer for individuals and communal concerns.
Why do churches hold revival meetings?
Churches hold them to invite people to faith, renew the commitment of members, and pray for spiritual change. In some American congregations, that includes prayers for physical healing or deliverance from what members believe are harmful spiritual powers. The evangelistic emphasis is common in Baptist and other evangelical settings, while Pentecostal and charismatic services may give more attention to healing and the Holy Spirit. Ministers may also emphasize repentance, confession, and renewed service.
What should a first-time visitor expect?
Revival meetings are often informal, expressive, and centered on preaching and prayer. You may hear gospel hymns, older hymns, or praise-and-worship songs. The service may include an invitation to come forward, but participation is voluntary: a visitor may remain seated, pray silently, ask to speak with a minister, or request prayer. Check the church calendar or use the church service times tool before going, and let the church know if you need accessibility support.