Michael W. Smith Says Revival Is Here: 'We've Prayed for This —There's Something Shifting'

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Veteran Christian singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith believes the revival people of faith have longed for for years has arrived, fueled by bold believers who—like the biblical figure Daniel in the Old Testament—are not afraid to stand firm in their faith.

Smith is a Grammy-winning singer whose career spans more than four decades, beginning with his debut album in 1983 and his first Grammy just two years later, in 1985. He added Grammy wins in the 1990s and 2000s before capturing his most recent award in 2024. He’s been nominated in five different decades.

Smith is also the executive producer of the new movie "Daniel and the Fiery Furnace," which stars Mena Massoud ("Aladdin") in the lead role and follows the well-known story of Daniel and his friends as they are taken into captivity in Babylon and pressured to compromise their faith, only to remain steadfast. It opens in theaters Sept. 18.

He told Crosswalk Headlines that scenes of college arenas packed with students worshiping God, as well as Forrest Frank concerts drawing thousands of tweens and teens, have encouraged him. But those are only two of the signs, he said.

“There's a revival going on. We’ve prayed for that forever,” he told Crosswalk Headlines. “We’ve prayed for this kind of movement of God. I saw it in the '70s because I was a part of the Jesus Movement.”

The Jesus Movement was a Christian revival that swept across the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s. It inspired the movie "Jesus Revolution."

“There's something shifting—there's no doubt. I’m seeing it. I've been all around the world. It's not only happening in America— it's happening in Europe and all around the world.”

Smith’s thoughts on revival were reinforced this summer when he attended a Forrest Frank concert and witnessed thousands of tweens and teens singing along and worshiping.

“It was remarkable,” he said.

The response at the concert, he said, could only have been a work of the Holy Spirit, saying, “I don't think you can get a bunch of people in a room” and team them up with Frank and have what Smith experienced unless God is at work.

“It's such a God thing,” Smith said. 

“And I've never been in an arena and hearing 6 to 14 year olds singing all the songs – it's like a kid's choir. It wasn't U2 or Coldplay. And they knew every word to every song, every word to every song. He's so bold. I really like him. I think he's got it dialed in. … He just gets up there, just sharing Christ, and kids are getting saved every night. I've never seen anything like it.”

The story of Daniel, Smith added, carries a similar message of bold faith for a new generation.

“I think everybody's going to enjoy [the movie], but I keep thinking about this next generation of kids and hearing all these great revivals breaking out in these college campuses — and so I think these kids are going to watch this movie going, ‘We will stand up, we will not bend the knee – we serve only one God and one God only.’”

Photo Credit: ©CapitolChristianMusicGroup

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.