Revival God's Way: A Message for the Church

by Leonard Ravenhill

For All Christians Who Yearn for Revival God's Way

This no-compromise biblical clarion call to revival is timeless. Leonard Ravenhill clearly shows how the church can be brought from where it is to where it ought to be. The church still needs his message, first published in 1983, for as Ravenhill said, "We live in a generation which has never know revival--God's way."

The message is drastic, fearless, and often radical. His goal for the church is nothing less than full restoration to the glory, power, holiness, and dignity that Christ intended for it.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Devotional, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published June 15, 1983

About the author

Very little biographical information is available for Leonard Ravenhill. He rarely spoke of himself which is likely a reflection of his belief in exalting Christ and not self. Most of what we know about Ravenhill is from sources that knew him and the details he provided in sermons. He was an evangelist born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England in 1907 and was used by God in revivals in Great Brittan before moving to American in 1950. Leonard Ravenhill was known for his focus on revival and his writing on the subject including the popular title, Why Revival Tarries.
Ravenhill preached in churches of many denominations, but was not ordained by any. His preaching is marked by calling sinners to repentance, insisting Christians live lives marked by holiness, and encouraging deeper prayer lives. Ravenhill claims to have been saved at age 14, but says he was baptized by the Holy Spirit at age 18 indicating belief in a Pentecostal system. However, Ravenhill also said he never spoke in tongues and said that baptism of the Holy Spirit is the same thing Wesley called sanctification and also said the only evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is holy living. He rejected Christian Perfection, but preached a Wesleyan-Holiness higher Christian life theology. Ravenhill speaks of John Wesley frequently and wrote a biographical sketch of him. Wesley’s influence on Ravenhill is apparent.
Leonard Ravenhill was a mentor to Keith Green of Last Days Ministries based in Texas. Later in his life, Leonard moved to Texas close to Last Day Ministries where he led a weekly prayer meeting and taught classes before dying in November of 1994.

Reviews

[David Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long on personal thoughts about revival, short on actual biblical support on his thoughts. I find the book challenging, and I think Ravenhill correctly identifies core principles attached to revival. That said, anecdotal arguments are not authoritative; the scriptures are.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Leonard Ravenhill doing what he does best, calling and compelling the church to action in a time of complacency.

It is a book that both challenges you greatly and stirs you up.

I would suggest anyone to read this.

[Angela Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am distressed at the zeal of the heretics; and at the amnesia of the believers.”

Conviction-laden poetry, combined with a metaphorical call to arms.

This is my first reading of any of Ravenhill's works, and it won't be my last. His prose is British through and through--with all the King James styling one would expect from a dude who was born in 1907. (He reads much like a contemporary of C.S. Lewis, with a slightly more chastising and paternal feel.)

Here, he's admonishing the Church at large--as well as individual churches--for their sleepiness and laxity toward the lost. As well as the general ignorance toward prayer in the general body of Christ. In getting his point across, he alternates between eloquent and earnest rebukes in the form of mini-sermons interspersed at regular intervals by rhythmic quatrain poems. (I didn't do a word count, but it felt as though nearly half the book was poetry.) Some were quite lovely, and some were less memorable in their simplicity. But I appreciated the way the artform both reinforced and broke up the work.

It's a quick read, but it packs a punch.

The Revival Song

Lord, we are hungry for blessing
This is in tune with thy word
Now is our need we're confessing
Give us new hearts, cleansed and stirred

Great is the need of our nations
Great is the need of this hour
Lord, we abhor our stagnation
Answer with Holy Ghost power

Look on our great desperation
Hold back thy judgment, we pray
Move through the length of our nation
Open thy windows today

Lord, fill the church with thy spirit
Lord, save our nation, we pray
Quicken our love and our zeal
And send us revival today

[George Hunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leonard Ravenhill's seventh book, Revival God's Way is a great read. As this is the fourth book that I've personally read from this author, I must say, in my opinion, it is only second to his most famous book, Why Revival Tarries. In this book, Ravenhill casts a vision for a church that's alive and on fire with the gospel. He challenges readers to be people of prayer and seekers of truth. Much of what he writes cuts straight to the heart and stirs the soul. I especially enjoyed his many poems and musings which were not found in his previous books. Ravenhill, as it turns out, is quite an able and notable poet. If you're going to read one book by Leonard Ravenhill, get Why Revival Tarries... But if you choose to read a second one, this is the book for you!

[Argin Gerigorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book from a fiery English preacher.

Although not a Calvinist I have great respect for this man of God and his zealous defense of Christianity and Christian living. This along with his other books are great "wake-up calls" for believers.

Excellent!

[Jason Banar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from the Bible, I would rate this as a "Must Read!" for every person who names the name of Christ. This book is packed full of deep insights into the power of prayer and the importance of seeking the presence of the Lord. What a powerful book! I highly recommend this read!

[Alexb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very convicting book. I really appreciate Ravenhill's Bluntness and vigor.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding work from Ravenhill. Convicting, to say the least, of the 21st century church.

[Onoja Chizoba]

Revival God's Way by Leonard Ravenhill like other of his book is a great work

[Dianelys · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We ought to obey God rather than men! It's time to leave the "prayer" breakfast and banqueting circuit for the battlefield. We have feasted long enough; now is the time to fast and to fight. We have clapped hands long enough; now we must let those hands cling to the sword of the Spirit as we battle against principalities and powers. The hours ahead of us will demand a showdown of strength. The underpinning of truth--the Bible is the infallible, inerrant, indestructible Word of the Lord--is being eaten away in the seminaries and schools by the acid rationalism of so-called intellectual progress. Such a battle for the Bible is not won in the lecture halls. It is won in the prayer closet.”

[JQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

For leaders in the body of Christ, this book will kick you around yet lift you up and encourage you to continue praying for Christ's return! I enjoyed the personal poetry that finishes every chapter. What a gift the author has been given. Additionally, the author's writing style is from a generation that has gone by, for me, this added a credibility to his message. Almost like listening to your grandpa give you advice and direction. Strongly recommended!

[Errol Castens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravenhill had little patience for lukewarm Christianity, self-focused prayer, or “revival” that depends on schedules, speakers, and singers more than the Holy Spirit. He contrasted the focus on numbers, methods, comfort, convenience, and entertainment in the modern American church with the advance pleading and repentant results that have characterized historic revivals.

This book urges Christians to lives devoted to prayer, scripture, and service rather than largely reflecting a slightly sanitized version of the culture around us.

Ravenhill clearly believed the American church in particular needed far more convicting than encouraging.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and bold. This is a call to get back to seriously praying for people and for God to work greatly in people's lives. Ravenhill proclaims that we need to be preachers who first pray, Christians who have given themselves to prayer and holy loves and then we will see God move powerfully. While I don't agree with all of what Ravenhill writes, it is a challenge that we all need to consider.

[Nehemiah Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ravenhill is a grumpy, rambling, angry, fiery, old man. But his prophet-like words are convicting and powerful. They make the heart long to spend hours praying for the lost and for the awakening of the church.

[Korbin Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good read adds a lot of depth to introductory theological topics. He harps on the importance of prayer, with good reason being that is how man communicates with God. As I read the book he brings up exciting insights, but when pairs with the Bible it makes the book a much more exciting read.

[NALUKENGE SONITA · Rating 1 out of 5]

good

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Robert Conder · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a book that I will read again. Through Ravenhill’s words we are called to think and reflect. We must continually call for a revival and seek God.

[Darla Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting. So on point so as to not allow for excuse for anything less that God's way in one's life.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely challenging, but good. According to Ravenhill, prayer is the key to revival. I think he's probably right, and the examples he gives are compelling.