The Promise Keepers Revival, the most publicized of the mid-1990s Revivals, began in 1991 when 4,200 men descended on the University of Colorado to be challenged to live up to their faith. In 1993, 50,000 men assembled from every state and 16 nations. In the following years, stadium events were conducted in cities throughout the United States. A spirit of revival and transformation swept across America as millions of men attended. The revival reached its zenith on October 4, 1997, as 1,000,000 or more men gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. By the close of 2000, Promise Keepers reported 5,000,000 had attended 100 conferences. An additional 1,000,000 men have been impacted since.39
10 Lessons on Revival History
Each revival or awakening leaves its own heat signature; in 1740 youth led the way, in 1857 businessmen and prayer took center stage, and the 1906 Azusa Street revival was decidedly interracial. Yet all share common themes. What are the most frequently mentioned characteristics of revivals and awakenings revival history?
1. TIMING
Revivals emerge during times of spiritual and moral decline, which leads to intense prayer.40
2. PRAYER
God puts a longing into the hearts of many to pray for revival.41
3. THE WORD
The preaching or reading of God’s Word brings deep conviction and desire for Christ.42
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit takes people to a spiritual depth they could not achieve on their own.43
5. CONVICTION
Affected sinners are inconsolable except in Christ.
