At least three keys are needed to open heavens, minds, and doors for revival breakthrough:
Prayer and fasting
God’s presence
Prophetic revelation
I believe each of these aspects can be demonstrated biblically and historically regarding the elements that precede revival. Let’s briefly look at all three elements.
Key No. 1: Prayer and Fasting
Prayer with fasting is a powerful key to making an opening for breakthrough. One of my favorite revival testimonies comes from the 1949–52 Hebrides Revival. The Hebrides is a set of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland.
Two sisters, Peggy and Christine Smith, eighty-four and eighty-two years old, respectively, were desperate for revival on Isle of Lewis, where they lived. They had experienced historic revival previously, so they knew how to pray according to the Scriptures.
They reminded God of His word from Isaiah 44:3: “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.”
Every day, Peggy and Christine prayed the promises of God for the residents of their village of Barvas. They interceded for an open heaven and revival.
As they prayed the Word, they began to claim an open-heaven verse, Isaiah 64:1: “Oh, that You would tear open the heavens and come down, that the mountains would quake at Your presence.”
One morning, Peggy, who was blind, received a vision from God of “the churches crowded with people, including many young people, and hundreds being swept into the kingdom. She saw the Lamb in the midst of the throne with the keys of heaven in his hand (Rev. 5:6; Matt. 16:18).”
That evening, the Spirit of God fell on seven young men gathered in a barn who had asked God to purify their lives and who had been praying for months from Isaiah 62:6–7.
So, while Peggy and Christine were praying, and Peggy had a visitation, and while a little band of young men was in a barn offering prayers according to Isaiah 62, the Spirit fell on those young men. Sure enough, God came.
It was the joining of generations to such an extent that Peggy “sent word to Rev. MacKay [her pastor] that God had shown her He was going to send a mighty revival. She asked him to call together the elders and deacons of the church for special times of waiting on God for revival.”
Rev. MacKay sought someone who could lead revival meetings. Soon, evangelist Duncan Campbell was called to come help with the revival. Campbell would stay for three years.
This ingredient of revival—a prayerful desperation to see God move in our midst—is always within me, and it can be within you too.
Our hearts are God’s altar, and, like the fire for the burnt offering at the tabernacle, His fire is supposed to be kept continually burning on the altar; it should never go out. (See Leviticus 6:8–13.) Those two elderly women on the Isle of Lewis knew God’s Word and prayed God’s Word; likewise, we should know and pray the Word.
It is said that, in the Hebrides Islands Revival, a type of “spiritual radiation zone” was created. When people walked into that zone, they would come under experiential conviction of sin, and many souls were saved.
That is revival breakthrough—and it was preceded by prayer. It’s time for prayer to arise that will blow the roofs off houses worldwide with God’s glory.
Key No. 2: God’s Presence
The one outstanding and distinguishing characteristic of God’s people is His presence among us. After Moses asked God, “Please, show me Your glory!” (Exodus 33:18), God revealed His glorious presence to him. Just as Moses did, let us ask God for a manifestation of His presence:
Then [Moses] said to [the Lord], “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”… The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “Please, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.” (Exodus 33:15, 17–19)
We need the presence of God more than anything in this life.
Let me share a significant dream I experienced in January 1999 that enabled me to better understand how we are to invite His presence.
For the rest of this article, visit godencounters.com.
Dr. James W. Goll is the founder of God Encounters Ministries. He is an international bestselling author, a certified Life Language Coach, an adviser to leaders and ministries and a recording artist. James has traveled around the world ministering in more than fifty nations sharing the love of Jesus, imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding curriculum kits and is the author of more than fifty books, including The Seer, The Prophet, The Discerner, The Lost Art of Intercession and Praying with God’s Heart. James is also the founder of GOLL Ideation LLC, where creativity, consulting, and leadership training come together.
Michal Goll 
