The greatest issue facing this generation is the character issue. Without a change of character in politicians, pastors, and common ordinary people, western society would continue downward on a slippery slope of decadence. But I hold on to one great hope. The greatest times of spiritual renewal have always occurred during times of great darkness, and the brightest stars have always shone on the darkest nights.

Such was the situation in the nation of Wales at the turn of the last century. A young man, Evan Roberts, heard an evangelist speaking on the subject "Bend the church and save the people." Young Roberts found himself on his face at the close of the service crying out to God, "Bend me, oh God, bend me."

Later Roberts asked his pastor if he could share a testimony of what God had done in his heart. The pastor gave permission, and the Spirit of God fell on that small band of people. The fires of revival began to sweep across the tiny nation of Wales. Within a year Evan Roberts had seen one hundred thousand people converted to Christ. Pubs had to close because of the lack of business. The crime rate dropped to virtually zero. Police had two responsibilities: crime control and crowd control. Since there was so little crime they went to where the crowds were assembling. That was in the churches. Therefore, they formed Gospel singing groups and sang in the churches.

Oh how my heart longs to see the day that the police have to be at the church house in this country because the masses are hungry to hear the Word of God. It happened in Wales when a young man had the courage to pray, "Bend me oh God, bend me."

Do you have the courage to pray that prayer? Brokenness releases the Spirit of God to work deeply within our lives, and Christ like character emerges from a broken and contrite heart. Character is a result of the grace of God being applied to our hearts. We are what we are by the grace of God. We become what we need to become by the grace of God.

But God's grace can only be applied to the heart that's rooted in humility. Humility often enters our hearts when we've been broken. That's why my prayer today is "Bend the church and save the people."