Revival Meeting – 31 May 2021

Here is a meeting where you can almost hear the praise that goes with it. This is a revival meeting in a Pentecostal church. Everyone present is having an encounter with God, but each is different. A man stands and proclaims the Word, a woman kneels in repentance, a woman on the left (in lilac) is speaking out praise. Different responses to one God present among them. The picture is roughly divided into two. The bottom half of the picture is filled with figures and movement, the top half is an empty space. This space is evocative of the transcendence and mystery of the one who is worshipped. God is both present and personal, as well as beyond human reach and understanding.

The picture is by Benny Andrews (1930-2006), and is called Revival Meeting. Andrews was born in Georgia, and trained at the School of Art Institute, Chicago.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— or if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:12-17

Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:
keep us steadfast in this faith,
that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Common Worship, Collect of Trinity Sunday