The classic revival prayer is Psalm 85:6: "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" Habakkuk prayed, "O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years" (Habakkuk 3:2). And God promised, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Revival means new life: God reviving a cold heart, a tired church, or a whole community through repentance, prayer and His Word. Many churches begin January with a season of prayer and fasting for exactly this. Scripture gives us both the prayers and the pattern. These twelve King James verses include the Bible's great cries for revival, the conditions God lays out (humble yourselves, pray, return), and revivals recorded in Scripture. One note on wording: the King James often says quicken, meaning make alive, where we might say revive. For related themes see prayer, fasting and salvation.
Wilt thou not revive us again?
1. Psalms 85:6
"Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"
The psalmist remembers how God restored His people before (Psalm 85:1-3) and asks Him to do it again: Wilt thou not revive us again? The goal of revival is joy, that thy people may rejoice in thee.
2. Habakkuk 3:2
"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."
Habakkuk had heard of God's mighty works in the past and asked Him to revive thy work in the midst of the years, in his own day. He adds, in wrath remember mercy. Revival prayers lean on God's mercy, not on our merit.
3. Psalms 80:19
"Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved."
This refrain appears three times in Psalm 80, in slightly varied form (verses 3, 7 and 19): Turn us again, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. Revival begins with God turning us back to Himself.
4. Isaiah 57:15
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
The high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity also dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Revival comes low before it comes loud: God revives the humble.
Humble yourselves, pray and return
5. 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
God spoke these words to Solomon after the dedication of the temple. Its four conditions, to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from wicked ways, have shaped prayers for revival for centuries. The promise: God will hear, forgive and heal.
6. Hosea 6:1-2
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."
Come, and let us return unto the LORD. Hosea invites a wounded nation back to the God who will heal and bind them up. After two days will he revive us: many Christians also hear in the third day an echo of resurrection hope.
7. Joel 2:13
"And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."
Rend your heart, and not your garments. In Joel's day people tore their clothes to show grief, but God wanted torn hearts. Joel 2:28 goes on to promise the outpouring of the Spirit that Peter quoted at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-17).
8. James 4:8
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Personal revival can start today with one step toward God, cleansed hands, and a heart that is no longer double minded.
Revival in Scripture
9. Nehemiah 8:8
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
When the exiles returned, Ezra and the Levites read the law distinctly and gave the sense. The people wept, then celebrated (Nehemiah 8:9-12). Revival in Scripture is almost always tied to hearing God's Word clearly.
10. Acts 2:41-42
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
At Pentecost about three thousand souls received the word and were baptized. Then they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Lasting revival is not just a big day; it is a new way of life.
11. Acts 4:31
"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Under threat, the early church prayed, the place was shaken, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Revival often begins in a prayer meeting where believers ask for courage rather than comfort.
12. Psalms 119:25
"My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word."
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. Psalm 119 asks God to quicken, or revive, the psalmist again and again, and always through His Word. When you feel spiritually flat, pray this verse before you read your Bible.
A short prayer
Lord, revive us again. Begin with me: search my heart, humble my pride, and turn me from every wicked way. Revive Your church in our day, in the midst of these years. Give us hunger for Your Word, boldness in prayer, and love for our neighbors, so that Your people may rejoice in You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Bible verse about revival?
2 Chronicles 7:14 is the most quoted, along with Psalm 85:6, "Wilt thou not revive us again" (Psalm 85:6), and Habakkuk 3:2. Together they give both the prayer and the pattern: humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from sin.
What does revival mean in the Bible?
To revive means to bring back to life. The King James often translates the idea as quicken, as in "quicken thou me according to thy word" (Psalm 119:25). Biblical revival is God renewing spiritual life in people who already know Him and drawing others to faith.
How do you pray for revival?
Start with your own heart (Psalm 139:23-24), then pray for your family, church and city. Use Scripture's own prayers: Psalm 85:6, Habakkuk 3:2 and Psalm 80:19. Many churches pair this with a season of prayer and fasting in January; see praying for others and the New Year verses.
What are examples of revival in the Bible?
Revivals came under King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29-31), under King Josiah when the book of the law was found (2 Kings 22-23), with Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8), in Nineveh after Jonah preached (Jonah 3), and at Pentecost (Acts 2). Each began with God's Word and repentance.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about fasting · Bible verses about salvation · Bible verses about praying for others · Bible verses about mercy · Bible verses about humility
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