Leonard Ravenhill, born in England the same year as the Great Pyongyang Revival, was converted at age 15 under the influence of his devout father. Rather than joining the charismatic trends of the time, he began seeking the Lord earnestly through prayer with like-minded believers.
At the age of 24, Ravenhill became an circuit preacher along with his colleagues. They traveled across the UK, holding meetings in remote villages for weeks or months. These revival efforts began to deeply impact northern England and Wales.
A.W. Tozer once said of Ravenhill, “After hearing him, you either become a passionate supporter or a fierce opponent. There’s no neutral ground.” His messages were so piercing that lukewarm Christians could not endure them—he sought to strike hearts with truth and awaken souls.
His daily routine was mostly filled with Bible study and prayer, yet prayer always took precedence. “The only key to victorious living in Christ’s love is personal devotion time,” he said, “And prayer is the secret. Once you commit to pray, demons fight back. Phones ring, visitors show up, and sermon invitations come.”
One day Ravenhill said to a friend, “I’m starving for revival. If I don’t see it, I feel like I’m going to die.” In 1994, he finally went to be with the Lord he so deeply longed for.
》 Scripture Prayer
| 1 Thessalonians 5:12–28(NIV) 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through; may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
》 Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Nothing can stop a person who is captivated by God’s glory. Leonard Ravenhill’s life was such a life. Let’s pray that we ourselves will be so captivated by God’s glory.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through; may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Thessalonians 5:23,NIV)
2. People who place prayer at the top of their lives learn, like Ravenhill, that prayer is war. Let’s pray that the Lord’s people, who never give up in the midst of all circumstances, will continue to rise up as prayer warriors.
pray continually,(1 Thessalonians 5:17,NIV)
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