Lessons from the History of Revivals For the 21st Century Church Charles Finney, the father of modern revivals, called revival a "renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God." In order for revival to take place on a personal level, it requires the absolute surrender of one's will to God in prayer and deep humility. The question is often asked, "Who is responsible for revival: God or man?" To satisfactorily answer that question, the author of "Reviving a Nation" reviews the ancient biblical record of revivals led by Judah's good kings along with the more recent history of America's Great Awakenings. Comparing and contrasting the successes and failures of previous revivals helps the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about what constitutes a true revival, what America's needs are at this moment for revival, and how revival can be sparked first in the individual Christian, and then in the home, family, community and finally in the nation as a whole. Drawing from his 35 years of experience as a Christian (who was, is, and always will be in need of personal revival) and from his many years of experience on mission fields around the world, the author points the way for all those who are looking for a revival personally, for the church, and the American nation in the 21st century. "It's true that (many) are praying for a worldwide revival. But it would be more timely, and more scriptural, for prayer to be made to the Lord of the harvest, that He would raise up and thrust forth laborers who would fearlessly and faithfully preach those truths which are calculated to bring about a revival." - A. W. Pink