Is the United States in the midst of a spiritual cycle? Ralph Reed believes we are and takes a historical view in his book, Awakening. We can see that political systems seem to collapse at the peak of their influence and power. The answer is the spiritual cycle: the tendency of human societies to move from faith to prosperity to pride to destruction, and then regeneration. It was true of ancient Israel, and it is true of our country today.

On my radio program, he talked briefly of the various awakenings in America. The First Great Awakening affected so many in colonial America and prepared the American mind for revolution and independence. The Second Great Awakening equipped believers to begin a social crusade against evil. The abolition movement developed during this time as many Americans spoke out about the evils of slavery.

A Third Great Awakening broke out in New York City in 1857 due to a prayer meeting. “Believers saw God’s hand in the gathering war storm and interpreted the bloody harvest as His judgment on the nation for its sins.” The temperance and suffrage movements were also born during this time of spiritual renewal and awakening.

Ralph Reed agrees with some commentators that America experienced a Fourth Great Awakening from 1970 until 2000. This was a time of personal holiness, theological orthodoxy, and increased civic engagement. Whether this counts as an awakening can be debated, but it is clear that God was in the midst of the events at this time.

He concludes his book by providing six guidelines for being an effective Christian citizen and activist. These include spending time in prayer, being informed, and becoming involved in the political process. He believes that an awakening must begin with us.

Are we at the beginning of another revival or at the end of our power and influence? Only God knows, but we are called to be faithful Christians and citizens.