I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”  and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:5

There have been several times in history when God has come in mighty and unexpected power to move his people to repentance and bring significant change to their lives and their world. One such time is known as the Welch Revival of 1904. It began, in part when a young man named Evan Roberts attended a prayer meeting where he heard someone pray, “Lord bend the church.” He responded within his own heart by saying, “O Lord bend me!” That cry led to a series of extended prayer meetings that were each marked by deep confession of sin and repentance! God began to move mightily across the land!

People were drawn to the churches during those times of prayer and, upon entering, would often fall down under conviction of sin and begin to confess and plead with God for mercy. Before long the whole nation seemed to be filled with cries of repentance and songs of joy as people came to Christ! Thousands were saved. Indeed, the whole culture was transformed over the coming months to the point that public drunkenness (once a huge problem) virtually disappeared overnight! Judges were even issued white gloves because there were no more cases for them to try. Petty theft ended! Quarrels ceased! Things changed! Even the police began to show up in great numbers to the church services because that’s where the people were. They soon formed police choirs to sing in the services! (For more see on this J Edwin Orr “The Flaming Tongue”)

And at the heart of that revival were four commitments people were urged to make before God which He then used to change them and to the nation. I recommend them to you in hopes that God may change our hearts as well!

During the revival, people were urged to prayerfully the following:

1. You must put away all known sin and turn to Christ!
2. You must put away any doubtful habit that may keep you from Christ
3. You must obey the Spirit promptly as he calls you to Christ
4. You must confess Christ boldly and publicly!

May the Lord grant us revived hearts to seek him and forsake sin, to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Pastor Scott