In September of 1857, four Irishmen began meeting together in a small rural schoolhouse near Connor, Country Antrim in Ireland. Four months later the first person got saved. At least one-person trusted Jesus for salvation each week that followed. At the end of 1858, 50 people now gathered in the old schoolhouse to pray. They met for sixteen months to pray for God to send revival. Two of these men were sent out to spread the fire in other regions.
On March 14, 1859, they met at Ahoghill in a church to proclaim the word of God. They met in the largest church in town. So many filled the balcony the minister feared the whole structure might collapse. The crowds were dismissed to go outdoors. Notice this part closely. 3,000 people stood in a bone chilling rain to listen to the word of the Lord. The Holy Spirit convicted so powerfully that people actually knelt in the mud or prostrated themselves face down in it. The conviction of the Holy Spirit so overpowered the listeners, that even the strongest of men were powerless to resist. They melted to the ground like butter on a hot sunny day. They braved the chilling rains and did not use them as an excuse not to hear the word of the Lord. They broke down in tears and had the look of anguish on their faces as they pleaded with God for mercy and salvation. What a sight that would have been to behold.
The work of God spread. People forsook their work and spent time in prayer. Sometimes all day and at other times prayerful pleadings filled the night watches. Kitchens, barns, schoolhouses, churches, and open fields became cathedrals for prayer, worship, and scripture reading. Be reminded the whole movement started with four men meeting in an old schoolhouse for months to pray before they ever saw the first convert.
The story is the same wherever God has sent revival throughout history. Look behind the scenes before the times of refreshing began, and you will discover some group of people united in prayer that gave birth to the revival. Afterwards, the revival was spread and sustained with fervent supplications for God to do more. Reading revival stories is like reading the book of Acts all over again.
Acts 2:41-43 (NASB)
41 So
then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were
added about three thousand souls.
42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles'
teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a
sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
Remember, just before this occurred and Peter's evangelistic sermon God poured out His Spirit at Pentecost in a prayer meeting. What followed in the book of Acts is nothing short of a miracle. God started the church with 3,000 new converts who were baptized. People were awed at the power of God displayed. The more they prayed the more God saved souls. Every single day people were saved and added to the church.
They devoted themselves to prayer. The word devoted means they attended to it assiduously. The modern church has tried everything to substitute for prayer. We have turned to endless programs, fresh faddish Bible studies hot off the presses, we have copied the methods of other successful churches, carefully crafted worship services, changed preaching styles, updated technology, and many other things. We have tried just about everything but prayer. Focused, sustained, fervent prayer for God to send revival that sprouts into spiritual awakening.
Can any of us say that our congregants feel a sense of awe at the power of God? Can we point to many wonders and signs happening on a regular basis in our midst? Especially the wonder of multitudes trusting Jesus for salvation. Have we seen anything like Acts 2:41 or like people melting in the rain at Ahoghill, Ireland sinking in the mud crying out to be saved? These are not natural occurrences.
Why would we as the people of God not tap into God unlimited resource of power to see similar results in our own churches and communities? If we are serious about God impacting our nation and influencing our communities, we will need to get equally serious about prayer. Persistent passionate prayer. Like the early church. Like four Irishmen gathered in a schoolhouse in 1857-1858. Will we follow their example?
- What is it that you most want to see God do in your community and in your church?
- Will you commit yourself to either attending or starting a prayer gathering for revival?
- What has God done or will He do that has and would awe you?
- List the signs and wonders you long to see God do in your life and church.
No comments:
Post a Comment