Be careful what you pray for.
“The Great Awakening”, that which occurred after the American Revolution, did indeed turn many toward the church, but at what price? It was largely based on anti-authoritarian attitudes; attitudes that revolted against the structure and traditions that existed in the church since apostolic times. Those who turned to the church did so largely due of powerful and charismatic leaders, not from any deep or thoughtful “conversion”. Some believe the current state of the church in America, and our rather listless and valueless American society; both began with these widespread but shallow “awakenings”. Let us pray the next awakening will cause the return of a basic and thoughtful Christianity; one that recognizes and embraces moral absolutes.
Nancy Pearcey in her book “Total Truth – Liberating Christianity from its Cultural Captivity” provides an in-depth review of this issue.