Old Time Religion
Between the years of 1915 and 1920, Spokane, Washington, was the healthiest city on earth. According to U.S. Government statistics, the town was almost completely free from sickness during that period. This remarkable healthiness had nothing to do with the climate, water, or food. It had everything to do with God’s miraculous power. God led a man named John G. Lake to open what were known as “healing rooms” in the city of Spokane. It’s estimated that some one hundred thousand healings occurred in those rooms. This is just one highlight of God’s manifestation during the early 20th century. The stories from Spokane were so mind boggling that the Better Business Bureau decided to check out the authenticity of the healing claims. After investigations, two committee members privately told Lake, “You didn’t tell the half of it.”
Something about this story stirs a desire in me that to see the miraculous power of God take over my town. I’ve heard other stories about revivals that emptied and eventually shut down bars. Then there are the tales of entire factories full of workers falling to their knees, weeping in repentance, simply because an anointed man of God walked through the door. These stories are fascinating, but I don’t want to be merely a historian of others’ stories. I don’t want to settle for reading the books of other mighty men of God. I want to partner with God in writing some new history books.
Doubtless, these stories did not happen to just anyone, anywhere. It required sacrifice, submission, and faith. Yet it proves that God can do and desires to do amazing things in America. Am I willing to do my part?
I heard a story a few weeks ago about an old time pastor and his wife who went on a 30 day period of prayer and fasting. This pastor would start praying at 12 midnight and pray until 12 noon. His wife would sleep during this time as well as get the kids ready for school. She would then begin praying at noon while he would sleep and get ready for the evening service. She would sit in the back and pray during the service. Then at midnight he would resume his 12 hour vigil. This continued for the duration of the 30 days. When my astonished mind finally registered the magnitude of this couple’s sacrifice, I profoundly uttered one word. “Wow.” Their church began seeing the results of this intense prayer. As soon as people walked through the doors they would instantly feel the anointing and power of God. Revival swept many souls into the church.
While I’m not attempting to persuade you to embark on such a radical prayer mission, perhaps there is something God is looking for from you that will open the door to another spiritual awakening in your area. Pause and consider: why did God put me where I am? What purpose am I supposed to be fulfilling?
Is it crazy to ask God to give us an Azusa Street style spiritual experience? Is it extreme to ask God to give New England another great awakening? Is it ignorant to ask God for a demonstration of the miraculous, leading to a mass exodus of the hospitals and nursing homes? If so, then I will proudly announce that I am crazy, extreme, and ignorant, because those are exactly the sort of things I am asking and believing God for. The time for stories is past; the time for deeds is here.
Amen! I couldn’t agree more with your last statement: the time for deeds is here!
In my experience, it is better to seek Him first, hear from Him next and then ask questions…if you r not able to do what He asks of u.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (King James Version)
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Direction from Him is the
Let the stories inspire us to discover what Our Savior wants to do here and now.
I am encouraged by the committment I am seeing at Acts II Ministries as people commit to end time harvest. Thanks for fanning the flame.