A Turning Tide and the National Day of Prayer
The “tide is turning” in America.
Helping to propel it forward will be the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1.
The past Easter saw a near revival-like explosion of salvations, baptisms, and heightened spiritual awareness through the United States and other nations. Thursday’s National Day of Prayer (in which I had the privilege of participating in Washington, D.C. for forty years) may be used by God to swell the rising waves of renewal.
Sadly, many of the cultural waves of the 21st century, especially in the West, have been secular/atheistic in nature including globalism. But not in 2025.
Be encouraged. The tide is turning.
You can join in by participating in the National Day of Prayer this Thursday.
A Turning Tide and the National Day of Prayer
For the first time in decades, Barna Research in the State of the Church 2025 shows a surge–a building wave–of interest in the Bible and knowing Jesus Christ. In 2025, 66% of U.S. adults affirm a personal commitment to Jesus that remains vital, a 12-point leap from 2021’s record low of 54%.
“This is the clearest trend we’ve seen in more than a decade pointing to spiritual renewal,” said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna, noting the data equates to roughly 30 million more Jesus followers since 2021. “Undeniably, there is renewed interest in Jesus.”
According to the survey, the revival is most pronounced among Gen Z (born 1999–2015) and millennials (born 1984–1998). Among Gen Z men, commitment to Jesus spiked 15 points since 2019, while millennial men saw a 19-point jump.
This “commitment to Jesus” is higher than ever among those who don’t identify as Christian–roughly three in ten people — a number which Kinnaman says is near an all-time high — who don’t identify as Christian say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus.
“We are seeing interest in Jesus that is growing among those who do not otherwise describe themselves as Christians, indicating that many of the new followers of Jesus are not just ‘recycled’ believers. Along with younger generations coming to Jesus, this is another strong sign that interest in Jesus is brewing in new population segments of society.”
The openness to Jesus offers fertile ground for ministry, but it’s unlikely to boost Sunday services or mirror past revivals. Kinnaman explains:
“The increase in commitment to Jesus among those under 40 suggests a growing spirituality that is quiet, personal, unconventional and hopeful, but also challenging. Christians should be encouraged to hold greater confidence in the gospel and to meet this significant opportunity by cultivating deep-rooted discipleship.”
This growing interest in biblical truth and commitment to Jesus produced an amazing spiritual wave during the recent Easter season.
The Western Journal reports that Easter weekend 2025 saw unprecedented attendance, baptisms, and salvations pouring in from all over the USA and the world.
Josh Howerton, of Lakepointe Church in Dallas, Texas, said: “In group texts with pastors from all over the country: record attendance, salvations, zeal, momentum, show that “the tide is turning.”
From small, rural church plants to large, urban megachurches, the stories of Easter 2025 paint a picture of exploding faith–with many churches showing packed buildings and numerous baptisms–especially among the young generations. The involvement of Gen Z and young Millennials hints at a broader cultural shift, one where faith and spirituality are becoming important again to those who have felt disconnected from traditional faith expressions.
These stories are not isolated incidents, but part of a larger tapestry of revival with churches reporting not just high attendance, but also life-changing decisions for Christ. The emotional weight of these moments — families being baptized together, young people publicly committing their lives to faith — offers a powerful glimpse of what a God-centered America could look like in the future.
Many pastors in the USA and Europe report that Resurrection Sunday brought huge crowds and big salvation numbers that indicate more than just the usual Easter bump – they’re calling it revival.
Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church shared:
“I’m seeing reports like this from all across America….it’s more than the usual high attendance at Easter…we are seeing the fires of revival burning and are on the cusp of Spiritual Awakening. Young men in particular are experiencing a hunger for God ….it is a Jesus movement in the making,”
Well known evangelist Greg Laurie, posted on X that thousands showed up to his Riverside campus and Orange County campus to “hear the greatest story ever told.”
“What a joy-filled, Heaven-blessed Easter Sunday at Harvest,” he wrote. “Thousands came to hear the greatest story ever told—and over 500 people made decisions to follow Christ.”
Andy Wood, lead pastor of Saddleback Church in California, shared that more than 1,500 people made first-time decisions for Christ including 355 baptisms. Jason Howerton, the CEO of Reach Digital, shared that services throughout the weekend went beyond expectations.
“At my church tonight, there was 5,000 seat auditorium filled, at capacity. Then an overflow site with 1000 more people at capacity. Then a 2nd overflow site at capacity. And then crowds of people outside watching on big screens. And it wasn’t even the Sunday service,” he recounted. “Revival vibes.”
It wasn’t just happening at megachurches. Other churches all over the nation reported amazing turnout. Christians from all backgrounds are experiencing signs of revival at their local churches.
My own home church, New Life South Kitsap, has 800 Sunday attendees. But on Easter Sunday held at SK High School (one of the biggest schools in the state), 1700 flocked to the three services and 22 were baptized.
That’s never happened before in our town.
In Falmouth, Kentucky, a berg of 2,000 people, more than 700 showed up for Easter service at Trinity Southern Baptist Church. “God is moving in a big way,” church leadership reported.
The stories of God’s new wave of salvation/baptisms are also taking place across the Atlantic.
CBN News reported that there is dramatic church growth among young adults in the United Kingdom. Of the 13,000 people surveyed, there was a 12% increase since 2018 among 18- to 24-year-olds who report attending church at least monthly. Over the last six years that number among men has shot from 4% to 21%.
Lee Nallalingham said his church was so packed that there was standing room only:
“In a country that often feels lost and broken, maybe it’s no surprise people are turning back to something deeper.”
What took place in the U.K. over Easter Sunday is just a snapshot of what is taking place across Europe. C3 Home Church in Germany reported more than 1,000 people attended worship, and there were “hundreds of salvations and over 60 baptisms.” In France, hundreds marched in the streets of Paris, declaring their faith in Christ. Journalist Sanchin Jose reported:
“France is witnessing a resurgence of Christianity — a Way of the Cross procession passing by the Eiffel Tower in Paris captures this revival.”
According to the Catholic News Agency, in France alone, there were more than 10,000 baptisms in the Catholic church at Easter this year. That’s a 45% increase from last year, the outlet reports, with the biggest shift being seen among young adults.
Which makes this year’s National Day of Prayer so strategic. There may be up to 50,000 prayer meetings in USA this Thursday. Join one in your area if you are able. You can also stream the national broadcast from the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 1 from 8-10 PM EDT.
Join scores of millions of Americans asking God to fan the flames of revival in our land
The tide is turning.
Let’s pray and boldly share our faith so that it may envelope the entire earth.
