Why Revival Tarries

Leonard Ravenhill's piercing examination of mid-twentieth-century Christianity emerged from his deep frustration with what he saw as the spiritual lethargy of the Western church. Writing in 1959 as both an evangelist and intercessor, Ravenhill observed a stark contrast between the book of Acts and the comfortable, program-driven Christianity of his era. His burden was simple yet urgent: genuine revival had become rare, and the church had settled for religious activity instead of spiritual transformation.

Ravenhill argues that true revival depends entirely on prayer—not the brief, casual prayers that punctuate church services, but the desperate, sustained intercession that marks those who truly understand humanity's spiritual condition. He contends that the modern church has lost its sense of the holy, its fear of God, and its understanding of sin's gravity. The work presents prayer as warfare, demanding sacrifice and solitude, and revival as God's sovereign response to such earnest seeking. Ravenhill challenges readers to examine whether they want revival badly enough to pay its price in time, comfort, and reputation. He draws extensively from historical examples of revival and the lives of great intercessors, contrasting their devotion with contemporary spiritual superficiality.

The book became a classic within Pentecostal and evangelical circles, influencing generations of prayer warriors and revival seekers. Ravenhill's prophetic voice continued to resonate as Western Christianity faced ongoing decline, making his call for authentic spirituality feel increasingly urgent. His uncompromising message has shaped countless prayer movements and revival-focused ministries.

Who should read this: Those hungry for spiritual breakthrough and willing to be challenged about the depth of their prayer life will find Ravenhill's intensity catalytic. Readers content with conventional Christianity or looking for theological nuance rather than prophetic confrontation should look elsewhere.