“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and … turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
In 1857 Jeremiah Lanphier opened the North Dutch Church in New York City for weekly prayer. On September 23, six businessmen attended. The next week 20 attended and 40 the next, after which they held daily prayer meetings. Eventually, other churches opened their doors, too. Revival spread throughout the United States and even the world. As a result of what we now call the Businessmen’s Revival, one million were added to the churches in the U.S. alone.
Other great revivals in U.S. history also were preceded by prayer: the Great Awakening, the Civil War Revival, the Urban Revivals, and the Azusa Street Revival. The same has been true in countries like Ireland, Poland, China, South Africa, and Columbia.
And of course, this is nothing new. The Bible includes many examples of God moving powerfully through prayer as in Nehemiah 1:5-11 and several Acts passages (1:13-14, 2:1-4, 2:37-47, 8:5-8). Pray vigilantly. Perhaps ask others to join you. You never know what sort of revitalization for faith in Jesus may come of it!
Other great revivals in U.S. history also were preceded by prayer: the Great Awakening, the Civil War Revival, the Urban Revivals, and the Azusa Street Revival. The same has been true in countries like Ireland, Poland, China, South Africa, and Columbia.
And of course, this is nothing new. The Bible includes many examples of God moving powerfully through prayer as in Nehemiah 1:5-11 and several Acts passages (1:13-14, 2:1-4, 2:37-47, 8:5-8). Pray vigilantly. Perhaps ask others to join you. You never know what sort of revitalization for faith in Jesus may come of it!
Scripture Focus
2 Chronicles 7:1-14
Insight
“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” (D.L. Moody, 1837-1899)
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 35-36
- Psalm 79
- John 21
