Have Christians forgotten how to pray for revival? In this lecture, we explore one of the lesser-known but deeply fascinating works …
12 COMMENTS
Sometimes I wonder. When revival occurs, there is often a mix of actual conversions with a lot of false conversions. It was no different in Edward's day. I don’t know that a big "public" revival is as good for the kingdom as a smaller scale revival that doesn't grab headlines.
You might remember the Asbury University (Methodists) revival from a few years back. And maybe it was the real deal – since not long after, many Methodists separated from the UMC.
Living in the south, I've seen a lot of "revivals" and "vacation Bible schools" lay claim to multiple conversions and baptisms that may have been spurious.
Well brethren ive been praying very hard the last 4 to 6 years that the wickedness thats done in darkness will be brought to the light and for children worldwide. Recently well last night I discovered that the wicked are praying against and trying to take captive 7 hills of the economy. I had no idea such a thing existed. I started last night. One of the hills is believe it or not. church! So I give you my word for now on i will pray for the spirit of God to be poured out. That the wicked agenda of the enemy will not prevail they fall into their own pit. I will pray Christians take seriously prayer in their relationship with Abba realizing their prayers are mighty. I pray faith of a mustard seed for all my brethren we make straight our priorities. God changes the course of this nation in Jesus name. I also will be praying for the support the future of gospel ministry 100,000 dollar fund. Praying that money fall into your lap. God raises up millionaires that are true Christians standing on truth working in faith. Helping the brethren in Jesus name. I pray all day I will be praying for this often. Bless you and peace to you from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ
A beautiful topic indeed, pastor I like and are so grateful for all of it. I also know that the composition took a great deal of your time and energy, and effort, but it's all to the glory of God we Christians needs this information and insights about our blessed history. Pray pray we need to stay on the bended knee ✝️❤️🙏
Hi Pastor, Matthew, I always enjoy your content. I just moved to Middlebury Vermont to accept the call to Pastor of a small church here. A church called Grace Baptist. Seems to be very few like-minded people up in this area, but I have met a few. God bless. Keep publishing the great content thank you.
Describe, if you would, what the prayer meeting would look like. This is a serious request.
I've seen variations where it was an evening service which was just a variation on the Sunday service, but not qualitatively different. There was music, some prayer, and a sermon. Such a meeting is called a "prayer meeting" frlor tradition's sake, but it really is just an evening church service – which certainly isn't bad, but isn't really a "prayer meeting."
Also, I've seen it turned into a variation on a charismatic service (even in a non-charismatic church) where people were spontaneously uttering things aloud that (perhaps) they might not ought to have said. In this setting, you may hear from "would-be prophets," since not everyone in your gathering is necessarily a reformed person. Unless a pastor is willing to immediately shoot down people when they say things that aren't quite right, it seems best to not open the floor for anyone to speak about just anything. Because when someone says something dumb in a church gathering, your failure to shoot it down gives that dumb thing a lot of credibility. ("God told me he was going to do fix the financial situation in our church…" "God told me your paralyzed child was going to walk again…") But if you do shoot them down publicly, your reasons might be misunderstood.
In my mind, maybe it ought to be a structured setting where there were some intial prayers that were on every week's prayer list (our country, revival in general, and ongoing specific church needs known to most everyone) then perhaps the congregation would be invited to give more specific weekly requests during a period, then when all known stated needs were in, and unspoken requests acknowledged (i don't subscribe to the view that every need has to be verbalized) the pastor or a designated elder would lead the prayer, and the congregation would offer its "amens" at the end. It's not very exciting, but seems to meet the "decently and in good order" standard.
I did listen to this while mowing the lawn! I'll have to listen to this again, as well as read the material you cited from Edwards. The church I serve as a pastor is talking a lot about the need for revival, such as it is coming up more in spoken prayers.
Prayer powers EVERYTHING ! Unity in prayer carries power with it… But all of this stems from the Father of lights, given by His good will according to His plan and timing. I will continue to seek Him for true revival first for myself in the mirror of His Word and then for all those around me that they would “Awaken, O sleeper !
Sometimes I wonder. When revival occurs, there is often a mix of actual conversions with a lot of false conversions. It was no different in Edward's day. I don’t know that a big "public" revival is as good for the kingdom as a smaller scale revival that doesn't grab headlines.
You might remember the Asbury University (Methodists) revival from a few years back. And maybe it was the real deal – since not long after, many Methodists separated from the UMC.
Living in the south, I've seen a lot of "revivals" and "vacation Bible schools" lay claim to multiple conversions and baptisms that may have been spurious.
Good Morning dear Brother….i can’t wait until I get the Edwards Bible
I think praying on Tuesday for revival is a great idea.
Well brethren ive been praying very hard the last 4 to 6 years that the wickedness thats done in darkness will be brought to the light and for children worldwide. Recently well last night I discovered that the wicked are praying against and trying to take captive 7 hills of the economy. I had no idea such a thing existed. I started last night. One of the hills is believe it or not. church! So I give you my word for now on i will pray for the spirit of God to be poured out. That the wicked agenda of the enemy will not prevail they fall into their own pit. I will pray Christians take seriously prayer in their relationship with Abba realizing their prayers are mighty. I pray faith of a mustard seed for all my brethren we make straight our priorities. God changes the course of this nation in Jesus name. I also will be praying for the support the future of gospel ministry 100,000 dollar fund. Praying that money fall into your lap. God raises up millionaires that are true Christians standing on truth working in faith. Helping the brethren in Jesus name. I pray all day I will be praying for this often. Bless you and peace to you from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ
We are in another awakening. Only this one is in the underground church
A beautiful topic indeed, pastor I like and are so grateful for all of it. I also know that the composition took a great deal of your time and energy, and effort, but it's all to the glory of God we Christians needs this information and insights about our blessed history. Pray pray we need to stay on the bended knee ✝️❤️🙏
Hi Pastor, Matthew, I always enjoy your content. I just moved to Middlebury Vermont to accept the call to Pastor of a small church here. A church called Grace Baptist. Seems to be very few like-minded people up in this area, but I have met a few. God bless. Keep publishing the great content thank you.
Describe, if you would, what the prayer meeting would look like. This is a serious request.
I've seen variations where it was an evening service which was just a variation on the Sunday service, but not qualitatively different. There was music, some prayer, and a sermon. Such a meeting is called a "prayer meeting" frlor tradition's sake, but it really is just an evening church service – which certainly isn't bad, but isn't really a "prayer meeting."
Also, I've seen it turned into a variation on a charismatic service (even in a non-charismatic church) where people were spontaneously uttering things aloud that (perhaps) they might not ought to have said. In this setting, you may hear from "would-be prophets," since not everyone in your gathering is necessarily a reformed person. Unless a pastor is willing to immediately shoot down people when they say things that aren't quite right, it seems best to not open the floor for anyone to speak about just anything. Because when someone says something dumb in a church gathering, your failure to shoot it down gives that dumb thing a lot of credibility. ("God told me he was going to do fix the financial situation in our church…" "God told me your paralyzed child was going to walk again…") But if you do shoot them down publicly, your reasons might be misunderstood.
In my mind, maybe it ought to be a structured setting where there were some intial prayers that were on every week's prayer list (our country, revival in general, and ongoing specific church needs known to most everyone) then perhaps the congregation would be invited to give more specific weekly requests during a period, then when all known stated needs were in, and unspoken requests acknowledged (i don't subscribe to the view that every need has to be verbalized) the pastor or a designated elder would lead the prayer, and the congregation would offer its "amens" at the end. It's not very exciting, but seems to meet the "decently and in good order" standard.
I did listen to this while mowing the lawn! I'll have to listen to this again, as well as read the material you cited from Edwards. The church I serve as a pastor is talking a lot about the need for revival, such as it is coming up more in spoken prayers.
Prayer powers EVERYTHING ! Unity in prayer carries power with it… But all of this stems from the Father of lights, given by His good will according to His plan and timing. I will continue to seek Him for true revival first for myself in the mirror of His Word and then for all those around me that they would “Awaken, O sleeper !
I love that you are putting this type of content on YouTube. I didn't know you were also putting content on Spotify. I will check that out for sure!
I gather from the conclusion that most Reformed churches in America don't have a mid-week prayer meeting. Is that accurate?!