It is an impossible task to trace the beginnings of the awakening, either in individual hearts or in individual churches. One reason, no doubt, is that those who had the deepest experiences with their Lord were loath to reveal them publicly. These experiences were too sacred for them to divulge to the public. Many, I am sure, could have come forward and given personal and private witness to the first stirring in their own breasts, helping us trace the glorious beginnings of the revival, but somehow a veil of secrecy has been spread over these early days. 

Suffice it to say that no revival is of a sudden origin. When the revival manifests itself in a mighty way, it comes suddenly as in the days of Hezekiah, but even so, its origins begin with the Holy Spirit of God moving effectively in individual lives in private. Let no one pray for revival - let no one pray for a mighty baptism of power, who is not prepared for deep soul-searchings and confession of sin in his personal life. Revival, in its beginnings, is a most humiliating experience. When one, like Isaiah, sees himself in the light of God's holiness, he must inevitably cry, "Woe is me!" 

Deep spiritual awakenings, whether in local churches or in whole countries, begin with desperate people like Hannah. God only answers prayers of desperate Christians - Christians who are tired and weary of cold, mechanical "services" before God; Christians who are heartbroken over the deadness of the professing churches and over sinners going to an endless hell; Christians who are desperate about their own spiritual condition. While it is true that when the awakening does come there is "joy unspeakable and full of glory," this is not the case of the preparatory days. Then, there is no song, but rather groans; there is no laughter, but only tears. 

This is copyrighted material from James Stewart's book Invasion of Wales by the Spirit through Evan Roberts, available from Revival Literature, PO Box 6068, Asheville, NC 28816