An excerpt from Times of Refreshing by Dr. Carl Thompson, Sr.

Chapter 2: Why Revival is Coming

...[excerpt begins here]

Jennifer LeClaire, in her book, The Next Great Move of God, speaks about the moral decline in America that has precipitated this dire need for a spiritual awakening. She contends that America’s problems began on June 25, 1962, when the Supreme Court ruled to remove prayer from the public schools. What followed was an escalation of moral decline among its youth.

  There is certainly a great need for a Third Great Awakening in America today. One can point to the major natural and political disasters that have occurred over the last two decades. The terror attack on September 11, 2001, the Great Recession of 2008, 

___________________ 

(page 15)

the multi-billion-dollar bailout of Wall Street, and more recently, the advent of the COVID-19 virus that took the lives of millions of people worldwide are a few examples. All of these, I believe were wakeup calls from God!

  I have further witnessed an alarming decay in our country. Mass shootings and the wholesale slaughter of innocent people have occurred on a scale unrivaled by any nation in the world. Unjustified police murders and the killing of policemen in the streets are nothing out of the ordinary. Gun sales have continued to rise due to a pervasive fear that has gripped our nation. Racism and hate crimes have escalated to an all-time high and many churches, both conservative and liberal in America, have mistaken cultural nationalism for serving God.  I believe we must repent before God from this idolatry and pray for a mighty move of His Spirit that will bring unity in the church, a healing of our land, and many to know the Lord Jesus.

There is a clamor in many circles today for a great awakening in this country. Some are even asking why God has not visited America with a mighty wave of revival to save this country. The question then becomes whether it is God or man who initiates the process, and if it is incumbent upon the church to light the spark.

If it is incumbent upon the church to light the spark, many are doubtful that it will ever happen. Some are skeptical that the church of today, in its present state of apostasy, could ever initiate the most significant revival in the history of humanity. Could it be that God will

___________________ 

(page 16)

bring judgment upon America to bring about repentance, brokenness, and a subsequent desire for a move of His mighty presence? Christian writer, Michael Brown, has this to say about the current state of America:

“I will be shocked if chastisement of America did not happen within the decade. There are many ways judgment could come about but come it will. However, along with that chastisement will come revival, for that will be its purpose.”

[excerpt ends here]