At various times in the scriptures and in church history, God has done extraordinary things in a season of revival. During these times it seems like the whole atmosphere of a church or a city or a nation changes. People come to know God and believe in Jesus in much greater numbers than normal. People make massive lifestyle changes, and the ethical and moral climate improves everywhere – from government to schools to business etc. It is also true that these times of revival often start during a time of great darkness. When hope seems most futile and the world seems on a path to self-destruction, when greed and corruption are the dominant motives, when people seem disinterested in God or even hostile to his ways – that is when conditions are most ripe for revival. This is what happened in the time of Jonah and it gives us faith to pray for revival in our day too.