Revival, a theme deeply intertwined with renewal and restoration, is a profound concept in the Bible. It serves as a divine call to return to God, seeking His presence and glory for transformation. Across both the Old and New Testaments, scripture illustrates moments where individuals, communities, and nations experience revival. These Bible verses not only capture historical revivals but also inspire believers today to seek refreshing encounters with God. Here are 32 pivotal Bible verses emphasizing revival:
Bible Verses about Revival
1. Psalm 85:6 – A Prayer for Revival
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” – Psalm 85:6
Cross-References
Hosea 6:2 – “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Turning Back to God
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Cross-References
Jeremiah 29:12 – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
3. Psalm 80:18 – A Plea for Restoration
“Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.” – Psalm 80:18
Cross-References
Psalm 71:20 – “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”
Lamentations 5:21 – “Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old.”
4. Habakkuk 3:2 – Acknowledge His Works
“LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” – Habakkuk 3:2
Cross-References
Job 37:14 – “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.”
Psalm 77:14 – “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”
Psalm 119:126 – “It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.”
5. Isaiah 57:15 – God with the Lowly
“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'” – Isaiah 57:15
Cross-References
Isaiah 66:2 – “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
6. Acts 3:19 – Times of Refreshing
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
Cross-References
Jeremiah 31:34 – “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Isaiah 12:3 – “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Romans 2:4 – “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
7. Ezekiel 37:5 – Breath of New Life
“This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” – Ezekiel 37:5
Cross-References
Genesis 2:7 – “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
John 20:22 – “And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'”
8. Joel 2:25 – Restoring the Years
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.” – Joel 2:25
Cross-References
Amos 9:14 – “And I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.”
Deuteronomy 30:3 – “Then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.”
Zechariah 9:12 – “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”
9. Ezekiel 11:19 – A New Heart
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 11:19
Cross-References
Jeremiah 24:7 – “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
10. Hosea 6:2 – Revival After Two Days
“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” – Hosea 6:2
Cross-References
John 11:25 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.'”
1 Corinthians 15:4 – “That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Romans 6:4 – “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
11. Psalm 119:25 – Revive My Soul
“I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.” – Psalm 119:25
Cross-References
Psalm 119:107 – “I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.”
Psalm 143:11 – “For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.”
John 6:63 – “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
12. Lamentations 3:22-23 – New Every Morning
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Cross-References
Psalm 30:5 – “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Isaiah 33:2 – “LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
13. Zechariah 10:1 – Ask for Rain
“Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” – Zechariah 10:1
Cross-References
1 Kings 18:41 – “And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.'”
Jeremiah 14:22 – “Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.”
Joel 2:23 – “Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”
14. Isaiah 40:31 – Renewed Strength
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Cross-References
Psalm 103:5 – “Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
15. Psalm 51:10 – A Pure Heart
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
16. Isaiah 44:3 – Streams on Dry Ground
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” – Isaiah 44:3
Cross-References
Proverbs 1:23 – “Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.”
Isaiah 32:15 – “Till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.”
17. Jeremiah 31:25 – Refresh the Weary
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” – Jeremiah 31:25
Cross-References
Isaiah 28:12 – “To whom he said, ‘This is the resting place, let the weary rest,’ and, ‘This is the place of repose’—but they would not listen.”
18. Isaiah 43:19 – A New Thing
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19
Cross-References
Isaiah 48:6 – “You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? ‘From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.'”
Revelation 21:5 – “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”
Isaiah 65:17 – “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
19. Ezekiel 36:26 – A New Heart and Spirit
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 3:3 – “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
Jeremiah 31:33 – “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Hebrews 10:16 – “‘This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.'”
20. Psalm 23:3 – He Refreshes My Soul
“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3
Cross-References
Luke 1:79 – “To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Psalm 25:9 – “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
John 10:9 – “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
21. Nehemiah 8:10 – Strength in Joy
“Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our LORD. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'” – Nehemiah 8:10
Cross-References
Psalm 28:7 – “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
22. John 7:38 – Rivers of Living Water
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:38
Cross-References
Isaiah 58:11 – “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Revelation 22:1 – “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
Zechariah 14:8 – “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.”
23. 2 Corinthians 4:16 – Renewed Day by Day
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
Cross-References
Psalm 92:14 – “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”
Ephesians 3:16 – “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”
24. Romans 12:2 – Transformation and Renewal
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Cross-References
Ephesians 4:23 – “To be made new in the attitude of your minds;”
2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
25. Psalm 119:37 – Revive Through Word
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” – Psalm 119:37
Cross-References
Proverbs 4:25 – “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”
Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
26. Colossians 3:10 – Renewed in Knowledge
“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” – Colossians 3:10
Cross-References
Ephesians 2:15 – “By setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.”
Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
Philippians 3:21 – “Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
27. Titus 3:5 – Washed and Renewed
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
Cross-References
John 3:5 – “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'”
1 Peter 3:21 – “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
28. Revelation 3:2 – Strengthen What Remains
“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.” – Revelation 3:2
Cross-References
Romans 13:11 – “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
Hebrews 2:1 – “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
29. Romans 8:11 – Life Through the Spirit
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” – Romans 8:11
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Colossians 2:12 – “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
1 Corinthians 6:14 – “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.”
30. Matthew 11:28 – Rest for the Weary
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Cross-References
Exodus 33:14 – “The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'”
Hebrews 4:10 – “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
31. Isaiah 61:1 – Good News to the Poor
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Cross-References
Luke 4:18 – “‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.'”
Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Jeremiah 34:8 – “The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves.”
32. Hosea 14:7 – Flourishing like the Grain
“People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine—Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.” – Hosea 14:7
Cross-References
Psalm 92:12-14 – “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.”
Isaiah 27:6 – “In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.”
Zechariah 8:12 – “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.”
Final Thought
In exploring the biblical theme of revival, we see a powerful vision of restoration and spiritual awakening. Each scripture passage underscores the recurring call from God to His people to return to Him, highlighting themes of repentance, renewal of spirit, and restored relationships. Through these scriptures, believers are reminded of God’s unending mercy and the transformative power of His word and Spirit.
The concept of revival is not merely a distant historical event but a continual and present possibility for those who earnestly seek divine renewal. By actively pursuing a heart fully committed to God and being rooted in His promises, believers today can experience fresh encounters and vibrant spiritual growth. May these scriptures inspire you to seek personal revival and become a catalyst for change within your communities and the world around you.