Articles by Desiring God The Voice of ‘A Great Awakening’
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Apr 9, 2026 A reflective look at what kinds of voices might spark spiritual renewal today. Conversations touch on an 18th-century preacher’s disciplined devotion, striking oratory, and fearless confrontation of sin. There is also discussion of unlikely partnerships that helped spread revival and a call for consecrated, capable, convicting, courageous, quickening voices now.
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Whitefield's Unprecedented Reach
- George Whitefield's preaching reached enormous audiences across Britain and the American colonies, sometimes speaking 40–60 hours a week without amplification.
- Estimates claim up to 80% of colonial Americans heard him, with one study suggesting as many as 60,000 could hear a single sermon outdoors.
Franklin's Civil Friendship With Whitefield
- Benjamin Franklin partnered with Whitefield by printing his itineraries and sermons, benefiting both financially and spiritually.
- Franklin later called their relationship a "mere civil friendship" that lasted until Whitefield's death.
Consecration Fuels Sustained Ministry
- Revival voices are marked by single-minded consecration to Christ, living as if on one constant mission rather than dividing energies across trivial pursuits.
- Whitefield's life was described as "one long sermon," preaching almost incessantly and treating time as sacred.
