Revival Part 7

January 13, 2025

​​​​​Revival Part 7

The Gaither family has made countless and beautiful contributions to Gospel music. For years, I watched “The Gaithers” on TV and was mesmerized by their fantastic musical presentations. One of my favorites was when the entire family sat together singing wonderful hymns. The harmony was beautiful. There must have been 20 or 30 people in all. Through the TV screen, I felt the love within that family, and truth be known, wanted to be a member of that family if only to join in their wonderful singing.

One day, I had the opportunity to see the Gaithers at a live concert nearby. It was one of the most memorable evenings of my life. The concert must have lasted three hours, but I enjoyed it so much, it seemed to last only half an hour. Sure enough, I had the same wonderful feeling as when watching them on TV, but because it was live, their presence was more palpable, even in a large auditorium.

One of the hymns the Gaithers sing which always stirs my heart is entitled, “Revive Us Again.” The lyrics of the chorus are:

Hallelujah, Thine the Glory

Hallelujah, amen

Hallelujah, Thine the Glory

Revive us again

These words ring in my soul because they are a prayer. They ask God to revive us — again. These words also suggest we have had revival in the past but we need it again now and will need it again in the future. These words show that for the faithful, revival is a way of life. And when we experience revival, we are included in the family of all who praise God and God’s glory. How great is that? 

---

So this new year has much opportunity for revival. And our prayer is: 

Dear God,

Revive us again! Amen 

Spiritual practice: Search in YouTube for “Revive Us Again” by the Gaithers Vocal Group. As you listen to these voices and the music, what do you notice inside your being? How does this hymn affect you? How does its prayer in the refrain resonate with you? What, if anything inside you, seems to be asking for revival?

Self-inquiry: If nothing inside you needs revival now, to what do you attribute that?