Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Isaiah 64:1, “Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down!”

Background

In 1787, Hampton-Sydney College experienced an extraordinary move of God in revival and awakening as four young men gathered to pray, study God’s Word and worship. They first met in a nearby forest, then a dorm room. Because of their piety and passion, they were ridiculed by fellow students and labeled as fanatics. The president, John Brown Smith, was broken that the young men were being persecuted because of their longing for revival and awakening. He reprimanded the persecutors and invited William Hill, Cary Allen, James Blythe and Clement Read to join him in his parlor for prayer the following Saturday.

Application

Revival soon broke out on campus with many students being converted to Christ. The awakening, due to testimonies being shared by students in various church settings, eventually spread to surrounding counties. The campus itself was visited by unusual moves of God periodically over the next few decades. These four young men were greatly used during the Second Great Awakening to impact many lives for Christ because of their faith and passion to see God transform the lives of fellow classmates.

Charge

As we seek Him today, pray for God to use your passion for prayer, His Word and worship to ignite a revival. Pray for college students to have a passion for awakening.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words