I have been reflecting a lot lately on these two words: revival and renewal.

When one speaks of revival and renewal, it implies that something needs to be brought back to life (revival), or something needs more than a face lift, it needs renewing.

Similarly to the story behind Lent. On Ash Wednesday we heard these words: dust are you, and to dust you shall return

That speaks of an unstoppable consequence to an action. Like Paul in Romans reminding us that; the wages of sin is death.

But God’s gift is eternal life. Lent is an invitation to revival and renewal.
“Be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND,” says Paul.

So how does revival and renewal happen?

1. First, we ALL must want revival and renewal. We need to understand that revival is an intense, personal matter. It does not begin in a crowd. It happens when an individual spends time on their knees.

When each individual recognises that it’s not up to one person. Each person in the community must recognise that something must change.

Once we are each hit by this realisation; that we are sitting in the ashes of crime, and all kinds of evil, perhaps we can move from ashes to revival.

2. Revival and renewal begins with an intense personal commitment to prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:14 and 15 is my personal springboard for revival.

Romans 12 reminds us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Prayer and social transformation must go together. Prayer and social transformation are the very foundations.

3. A willingness to commit to revival and renewal, no matter the cost.
Revival is costly.It will cost time, personal sacrifice, costs that no one has budgeted for.

But if we want to walk from the ashes of our personal circumstance, we must commit to renewal. NOW!

Reverend James Adams