By Evangelist Solomon OKPO
In a time when spiritual fervor once ignited entire nations, a growing concern echoes among believers, where is the fire today? The lament of a dwindling passion for revival is evident as the current generation shifts its focus from spiritual hunger to material pursuits.
Reflecting on the great revivals of the past, names like Benson Idahosa, Billy Graham, Smith Wigglesworth, and Katherine Kuhlman stand out as torchbearers of faith who shook their generation. The 1930s, 1970s, and 1980s witnessed extraordinary moves of God, seasons when men and women burned with passion for evangelism and intercession.
History recalls the fiery prayers of John Knox, who pleaded, “Lord, give me Scotland or I die.” St. Patrick, known for his unshakable faith, sought nothing but souls, while the Hebrides Revival saw believers cry out, “Lord, if you will not use us, please, kill us.”
These men and women hungered for God’s presence, gathering under extreme conditions, praying and fasting for the move of the Holy Spirit. William Seymour and those at Azusa Street relentlessly prayed, “Lord, this is another day that hell must lose men and women. Please, we are here, use us.”
Yet today, a different reality prevails. Churches are filled with members consumed by the desire for wealth, visas, marriages, and employment rather than a burning passion for the kingdom of God. The question arises: Where are the believers who will pray for revival to sweep through their communities?
A stark contrast emerges when comparing the spiritual encounters of past generations with the present. Paul, after encountering Christ, asked, “Lord, what will You have me do?”, a response driven by surrender. In contrast, today, many seek personal gain after spiritual experiences rather than a commitment to God’s purpose.
Never before has a generation carried Bibles as much as we do yet failed to open them. Materialism has taken root, leaving many powerless against the forces that once bowed to the authority of the Spirit-filled Church. Jesus urged believers to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth.” Yet, the priority for many is personal success over spiritual growth.
This is a call to believers: to return to the foundation of true revival, to hunger for God more than material things, and to make heaven the ultimate goal. As one thought-provoking question poses, What if we treated the Bible the way we treat our mobile phones?
Hell is real, and the urgency of the gospel cannot be ignored. May those who read this message reflect, repent, and reignite the fire of revival before it is too late.
AMEN!
