The Women Who Prayed the Hebrides Revival into Being
The Hebrides Revival (1949–1952), one of the most extraordinary spiritual awakenings of the 20th century, owes its origins to the fervent and faithful prayers of two elderly sisters. Peggy and Christine Smith, though frail and largely unseen, became the spiritual powerhouses behind a movement that transformed their community and left a legacy of prayerful intercession.
Two Sisters, One Burden
Peggy Smith was 84 years old and blind. Her sister Christine, at 82, suffered from severe arthritis that left her physically bent over. Despite their physical limitations, the sisters were deeply burdened by the spiritual apathy they saw in their community, particularly among the youth on the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides, Scotland. They longed to see God awaken hearts and bring a renewed sense of His presence to their village of Barvas.
Praying for Revival
In their humble cottage, Peggy and Christine committed themselves to persistent and fervent prayer. Night after night, often from 10 PM until 3 AM, they cried out to God for a spiritual awakening. Their prayers were grounded in the promise of Isaiah 44:3: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.”
One night, Peggy had a vision of revival. She saw a church crowded with young people, experiencing the power of God’s Spirit. In her vision, a specific preacher, Duncan Campbell, was involved in this outpouring. Convinced this vision was from God, the sisters shared it with their minister, Reverend James Murray Mackay, and urged him to take action.
Mobilizing the Church
Encouraged by the sisters’ vision and faith, Reverend Mackay began organizing prayer meetings in the community. These gatherings grew as others joined, inspired by the intensity and expectation of Peggy and Christine’s prayers. The sisters’ faith was contagious, and their home became a hub of intercession.
Duncan Campbell’s Arrival
In obedience to Peggy’s vision, the sisters wrote to Duncan Campbell, a Scottish evangelist known for his dynamic preaching. Initially hesitant, Campbell eventually accepted their invitation to come to the Isle of Lewis. When he arrived, he found a community already stirred by prayer, where hearts were prepared for God’s movement.
The revival began shortly after Campbell’s arrival. Services were marked by a profound sense of God’s presence, drawing people from all walks of life and at all hours of the day and night. Churches overflowed with people seeking God, and many experienced deep repentance and transformation.
The Impact of Revival
The Hebrides Revival had far-reaching effects:
Spiritual Awakening: A widespread awareness of God’s presence permeated the community, leading many to faith in Christ.
Youth Revival: Young people, who were a specific focus of the sisters’ prayers, became deeply engaged in the movement.
Community Transformation: Lives were changed, and the revival left a lasting impact on the spiritual landscape of the Hebrides.
Lessons from Peggy and Christine Smith
The story of Peggy and Christine Smith is a testament to the power of prayer and faith. Their lives offer timeless lessons for believers:
The Power of Prayer: These sisters, though limited by age and infirmity, demonstrated that prayer is not bound by physical ability. Their intercession prepared the ground for revival.
Faith in God’s Promises: Their prayers were rooted in the promises of Scripture, particularly Isaiah 44:3, which gave them confidence in God’s ability to bring spiritual transformation.
Persistent Intercession: Peggy and Christine’s unwavering commitment to prayer, even through the night, highlights the importance of persistence in seeking God.
Humble Obedience: Their willingness to act on a vision and inspire others to pray shows how God uses humble, faithful individuals to accomplish extraordinary things.
A Lasting Legacy
The Hebrides Revival reminds us that God often uses the prayers of the unseen and the overlooked to spark profound change. Peggy and Christine Smith may have been elderly and frail, but their faith and intercession became the catalyst for a movement that impacted countless lives.
Their story challenges us to believe in the power of prayer and to trust that God can use anyone, regardless of age or ability, to bring about His purposes. As the sisters exemplified, great movements of God often begin with humble hearts bowed in prayer.
