Leonard Ravenhill’s Why Revival Tarries (Bethany House, 2004) is a class book in revival, originally written in 1959, and reprinted many times since.
I first read it over 25 years ago when I was more involved in the charismatic movement. Although I’m not there now, and this isn’t a book that ticks all my theological boxes, it’s a book that is a huge challenge to me (and I think to anyone who is involved in preaching ministry).
It is easy as a preacher to spend so long studying to craft the “perfect” sermon, but to preach without life and power. This book is primarily a call to prayer – serious prayer, extended prayer, costly prayer. There are 20 chapters, which originally were articles published elsewhere. Ravenhill is not sitting from the sidelines telling us to be better pray-ers, more passionate preachers and more godly people, he was a passionate, praying evangelist himself.
Yes, there are some theological bones that I needed to spit out. This book doesn’t come from the “reformed” theological camp that I normally read. Yet it has awakened a greater desire for prayer and godliness. God is too great and holy for preachers to treat him, his people and his word casually.
How much do we pray? How do we pray? Are we satisfied with the state of the church? Are we prepared to count the cost of preaching the truth and living for Christ? Do we long for powerful preaching that changes lives? Do we long for revival?
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6, ESV)
The best is yet to come 