Why Revival Isn’t Happening—and What the Church Must Do First

Pastor, author, and apologist Joe Manning returns to The Steve Marston Show for a challenging conversation about the church, culture, biblical truth, and revival.

Steve and Joe discuss what happens when Christians begin allowing culture and personal ideology to reshape Scripture rather than allowing Scripture to shape their lives. Joe traces the problem back to the Garden of Eden—the temptation to question God’s Word and put our own desires ahead of what God has said.

But the conversation turns to an even bigger question: Why aren't we seeing widespread revival?

Joe points to something that has preceded historic revivals again and again: prayer. He argues that prayer has increasingly moved away from the center of church life, and that Christians can become discouraged when they pray for revival but don't immediately see results.

Joe shares the powerful example of praying with his wife for his parents' salvation for more than 35 years before they eventually gave their lives to the Lord—a reminder to keep asking, seeking, and knocking.

The conversation also gets personal: revival isn't simply about asking God to fix the culture around us. It begins with examining our own hearts, confessing sin, seeking God's glory rather than church growth, and allowing His kingdom to be visible through the way we live.

If we truly want revival, maybe the first question isn't “What's wrong with the world?” but “What needs to change in me?”