Revival Testimonies in Wales
A characteristic incident was the revival of a parish of about two thousand miners. The clergyman was a man of no special gifts. He had, however, great simplicity of doctrine and unusual holiness of life. He had toiled long and that with comparatively little effort. The same was true of other chapels in that neighborhood. The parish was dead. Two years before the revival broke out, amongst a faithful few there was excited a spirit of prayer for their ministers. They prayed alone in their chambers; they prayed unitedly in little prayer bands. Gradually these ministers were conscious of a new spirit of power and love in their ministry. Soon the thoughtless, the godless and the careless flocked to the houses of prayer. The churches were filled with overflowing.
The Rev. H. R. Jones… had returned from America to his home in Cardiganshire. He had witnessed with his own eyes what God was doing for America. Coming from the warm religious atmosphere of an awakened country he felt keenly the coldness of the spiritual life in Wales. He listened to a sermon preached by Morgan [David Morgan]. At the close he asked his brother minister if that was a sample of his usual preaching. When told that it was, he replied, “Then your people will go to hell under your preaching.” This thought greatly distressed Mr. Morgan and he spent many days in prayer, self-examination and in agony of soul. When these two brethren came together again and considered the conditions that existed in the church life in Wales they felt that there was something lacking in the preaching, and most of all, in the spirit of prayer among professed Christians. As a direct result of this visit, these brethren called a meeting to pray for a revival in their land. This was in September, 1858. At first Mr. Morgan was constantly depressed because so few attended the prayer meetings. His friend who had attended and knew the history of the Fulton Street prayer meetings in New York saw a revival before them and never wavered in his faith. Soon a spirit of prayer was noticeable in the community and before two months had passed two hundred persons professed conversion and united with the two churches in that community.
Revival Testimonies in Ireland
The Irish revival had its beginning in the place of prayer…The reading of what God was doing for George Muller in the way of answering prayer gave the desire to four young men in the north of Ireland to meet together for prayer. They met near Connor, in County Antrim…and prayed that “Their labors and that of others in the prayer meetings and Sunday schools might be eminently owned of God.” This prayer meeting, attended by four anxious young men, was the birthplace of the great religious wave that swept over Ireland. The first prayer meeting was held in the same month of the same year, and if not on the same day, then near the same day, that saw the first great Fulton Street prayer meeting in New York City [1857-1858]. Though unknown to each other, the same God was leading in His own wonderful way. This prayer meeting was the first of many, before any great visible results were noticeable. …suddenly a great number of sinners was converted. This directed the eyes of many to the importance of the prayers of God’s people and soon thousands of God’s people were praying that the wave of blessing might become general. …At times it was estimated that a thousand a day were professing conversion. Ulster alone saw one hundred thousand profess conversion.
Christians everywhere were meeting in little bands to pray. Meetings were held…night and day and young and old were smitten with deep conviction…The large church was crowded to the doors and the entire graveyard, surrounding the church, was then filled with praying Christians…When the fire of God fell on Ballymena the Christians in near by Coleraine met to pray for a similar blessing…and were united in their prayers for a revival…So great was the conviction that one of the town newspapers was compelled to delay publication…Their new town hall was about to be formally opened with a great opening dance. So great was the conviction of sin and the desire to attend church services that the hall was engaged to accommodate the crowd.
Acts 1:14 “These…were continually devoting themselves to prayer.” Acts 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” What is more important for ministers than prayer? True revival only comes when God gives His people hearts to pray. Are people praying? There is no need to wonder why revival is not here. What are we devoted to if not to prayer? Are we too busy to pray? Then we are too busy for God’s work.
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