Looking Back on the Power of Prayer for Revival

At the blog Historia Ecclesiastica I came across this marvelous quote:

"I WISH I HAD PRAYED MORE": JOHN SUTCLIFF AND PRAYER
In 1842, on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society, the Baptist pastor and writer, F.A. Cox, reflecting on the origins of the Society, stated:“The primary cause of the missionary excitement in [William] Carey’s mind, and its diffusion among the Northamptonshire ministers [was] ... the meeting of the Association in 1784, at Nottingham, [when] it was resolved to set apart an hour on the first Monday evening of every month, “for extraordinary prayer for revival of religion, and for the extending of Christ’s kingdom in the world.” This suggestion proceeded from the venerable [John] Sutcliff. Its simplicity and appropriateness have since recommended it to universal adoption; and copious showers of blessing from on high have been poured forth upon the churches.” [History of the Baptist Missionary Society, From 1792 to 1842 (London: T. Ward & Co./G. & J. Dyer, 1842), 1:10-11].From the vantage point of the early 1840s, Cox saw the Prayer Call of 1784—proposed by John Sutcliff for adoption by the Northamptonshire Baptist Association and centred on the need to seek revival through prayer—as pivotal in that it focused the prayers of Calvinistic Baptist churches in the Association on the nations of the world. It thus prepared the way for the emergence of the Baptist Missionary Society and the sending of Carey to India. Yet he also notes that the “universal adoption” of the concert of prayer by churches beyond the ranks of the Calvinistic Baptist denomination had led to rich times of revival, when God poured forth upon these churches “copious showers of blessing.” Later historians would describe this period of blessing as the Second Evangelical Awakening (1790-1830). Some of them, like J. Edwin Orr and Paul E.G. Cook, would concur with Cox and rightly trace the human origins of this time of revival and spiritual awakening to the adoption of the concert of prayer by the Calvinistic Baptists in 1784 [J. Edwin Orr, The Eager Feet: Evangelical Awakenings 1790-1830 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1975), 95, 191-92, 199; Paul E. G. Cook, “The Forgotten Revival” in Preaching and Revival (London: The Westminster Conference, 1984), 92].However, in one area Cox’s statement in somewhat misleading. In describing John Sutcliff as “the venerable Sutcliff” he leaves the reader with an idyllic impression of the Baptist pastor. How sobering to find that this man, who was at the heart of a prayer movement that God used to bring so much spiritual blessing to His church, also struggled when it came to prayer. When Sutcliff lay dying in 1814 he said to Fuller: “I wish I had prayed more.” For some time Fuller ruminated on this statement by his dying friend. Eventually he came to the conviction that Sutcliff did not mean that he “wished he had prayed more frequently, but more spiritually.” Then Fuller elaborated on this interpretation by applying Sutcliff’s statement to his own life:“I wish I had prayer more for the influence of the Holy Spirit; I might have enjoyed more of the power of vital godliness. I wish I had prayed more for the assistance of the Holy Spirit, in studying and preaching my sermons; I might have seen more of the blessing of God attending my ministry. I wish I had prayed more for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to attend the labours of our friends in India; I might have witnessed more of the effects of their efforts in the conversion of the heathen. [cited J. W. Morris, Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Andrew Fuller (London, 1816), 443].
Posted by Michael A G Haykin on Monday, October 09, 2006 at 2:12 AM Permalink

And here is the call to prayer referred to in the quote above, also from the blog of Michael Haykin:

JOHN SUTCLIFF, "THE PRAYER CALL OF 1784"
Here is the document referred to in the previous blog, John Sutcliff’s “The Prayer Call of 1784.” It is an important text in that it was central to revival coming to the Calvinistic Baptist Churches in the UK during the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century.Upon a motion being made to the ministers and messengers of the associate Baptist churches assembled at Nottingham, respecting meetings for prayer, to bewail the low estate of religion, and earnestly implore a revival of our churches, and of the general cause of our Redeemer, and for that end to wrestle with God for the effusion of his Holy Spirit, which alone can produce the blessed effect, it was unanimously RESOLVED, to recommend to all our churches and congregations, the spending of one hour in this important exercise, on the first Monday in every calendar month.We hereby solemnly exhort all the churches in our connection, to engage heartily and perseveringly in the prosecution of this plan. And as it may be well to endeavour to keep the same hour, as a token of our unity herein, it is supposed the following scheme may suit many congregations, viz. to meet on the first Monday evening in May, June, and July, from 8 to 9. In Aug. from 7 to 8. Sept. and Oct. from 6 to 7. Nov. Dec. Jan. and Feb. from 5 to 6. March, from 6 to 7; and April, from 7 to 8. Nevertheless if this hour, or even the particular evening, should not suit in particular places, we wish our brethren to fix on one more convenient to themselves.We hope also, that as many of our brethren who live at a distance from our places of worship may not be able to attend there, that as many as are conveniently situated in a village or neighbourhood, will unite in small societies at the same time. And if any single individual should be so situated as not to be able to attend to this duty in society with others, let him retire at the appointed hour, to unite the breath of prayer in private with those who are thus engaged in a more public manner.The grand object of prayer is to be that the Holy Spirit may be poured down on our ministers and churches, that sinners may be converted, the saints edified, the interest of religion revived, and the name of God glorified. At the same time, remember, we trust you will not confine your requests to your own societies [i.e. churches]; or to your own immediate connection [i.e. denomination]; let the whole interest of the Redeemer be affectionately remembered, and the spread of the gospel to the most distant parts of the habitable globe be the object of your most fervent requests. We shall rejoice if any other Christian societies of our own or other denominations will unite with us, and do now invite them most cordially to join heart and hand in the attempt.Who can tell what the consequences of such an united effort in prayer may be! Let us plead with God the many gracious promises of His Word, which relate to the future success of His gospel. He has said, “I will yet for this be enquired of by the House of Israel to do it for them, I will increase them with men like a flock.” Ezek. xxxvi.37. Surely we have love enough for Zion to set apart one hour at a time, twelve times in a year, to seek her welfare. Attached to John Ryland, Jr., The Nature, Evidences, and Advantages, of Humility (Circular Letter of the Northamptonshire Association, 1784), 12.
Posted by Michael A G Haykin on Monday, October 09, 2006 at 2:22 AM Permalink

Thoughts on "Sick, Strange Comfort"

Tim Challies blogs about Joni Eareckson Tada's chapter in a forthcoming book, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, from Crossway. Both Challies thoughts and the excerpts from Joni are worth the read. Check out Sick, Strange Comfort, here:

http://www.challies.com/archives/002071.php#comments

Tackling Disability

You see on this page that the ministry of Joni and Friends is very important to us. That's because our eldest daughter, Anna, was born with a congenital disability.

The following URL will connect you with the inspirational and wonderful story of a friend of ours, Tyler Nelsen. Tyler's folks are friends from church, and his uncle Scotty is one of my close friends from the headquarters at BGC. You'll be blessed by the story and video, so take a moment to connect. All for the glory of God!

http://www.mchenrycountysports.com/articles/2006/08/31/fall_
sports/football/video/iq_13104728.txt

Something I've asked again and again

John Armstrong, through the comment of a friend, posts today about something that has bothered me for years: Why are we so hesitant to really pray in our meetings? Why do we relegate prayer to 60 seconds to start the meeting and 30 seconds to close? Here is the post from Brother Armstrong's blog:

August 18, 2006
Why Do We Find Prayer So Unimportant to Our Meetings?
A friend wrote me today and shared the following account in his letter. His comments, and the question that he poses, are worth both worth consideration by anyone who professes love for Christ and his kingdom. Here is what my friend wrote:

"The other evening I opened our board meeting with a heartfelt prayer, something that I haven’t done in a while in a board meeting context. I have shared with the other board members the passion that God has been giving me for more prayer, and that we need to set aside as much time as we can and as often as we can to pray, so as to see the hand of God move in our lives, and in the lives of those we serve. Anyhow, as our evening ended (and on time) one of the executive staff members leaned over to our director as he was about to close in prayer and stated “Hey, just make sure you don’t pull one of those ‘preacher prayers’ like our friend over here, because it’s been a long night and I am ready to go.” He smiled as he looked over at me, and one other gentleman laughed, but I did not.
Why do I share this John? I am in so many Christian gatherings and board meetings and it seems that without fail we almost always tolerate real praying. Praying, in so many settings, seems like a bookend to a meeting or seminar, period."

Are we so dull spiritually that prayer, earnest and serious prayer, is something we can dispense with or leave to professional ministers? I fear the truth of an honest answer might well reveal the paucity of our true spirituality in far too many ministry settings. Next time your group meets ask the question: "What does prayer reveal about our trust in God alone?"
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Recently I was very blessed to hear the testimony of a church in the iron range of Minnesota regarding their prayer life. I have had the privilege to have a small part in encouraging prayer there. The pastor reported that one evidence of renewed commitment to prayer is that when groups meet, they spend a great deal of time in prayer. This was sweet music to my ears.

Ben Patterson, who wrote the wonderful book Deepening Your Conversation with God, tells of introducing an hour of prayer into the Elder meetings of his church. These meetings tended to go long, into the night. His Elders were shocked -- our meetings are already too long, and you want to add an hour of worship and prayer? But, Patterson says, as soon as they began to open their meetings with an hour of worship and prayer, the meetings got SHORTER. Why? Time with God brings so many things into focus! Our priorities are not the same.

After all, whose wisdom will most greatly impact your next committee meeting? Yours, or God's?

Thank You to Gary Clark

After two years of leadership of the Prayer First Advisors, Pastor Gary Clark recently stepped down. This group helps me stay on track, advises, and was crucial in the launch of our Prayer Champions ministry.

Thank you, Gary! You were in on the gathering at Fresno where we evaluated and dreamed of a greater ministry for Prayer First. You shepherded us through the planning and launch of both the Advisors and Prayer Champions, including excellent and inspiring Champions meetings in Denver (Henry Blackaby) and St. Paul (Dee Duke). You were a great help to me these two years, and I sincerely thank you.

Now Bryan Moak will step into the Chair role. He is Executive Pastor at Berean Baptist Church, Mansfield, OH. Bryan is a superb worship leader, whose gifts have touched thousands. But he is also an excellent ministry leader, and we look forward to his help the next time our Prayer First Advisors group meets, November 30-December 1.

the power of simply praying for people

In July our family pointed the old Grand Caravan toward Warm Springs, GA, and our third time at this Joni and Friends Family Retreat and fifth JAF retreat overall. We noted, but didn't take a photo, of the van passing up the 150,000 mile marker on the odometer. Despite age and scarred beauty, the old car handled Monteagle Pass in Tennessee with ease, plus every other mountain climb, and didn't even flinch in the 96 degree heat with high humidity. We did add some oil!

For the third year I served as Retreat Pastor, speaking daily to the adults and helping provide an overall theme for the week. Under the thematic banner of Amazin' Adventure: In Search of the Saviour, I took up the theme verses from Jeremiah 29, plus additional messages of Christ the Treasure, Christ the Light of the World, and God's resources for Living in the Light. My wife and two of my daughters also served, while my eldest daughter enjoyed the fellowship with so many friends and peers in the world of disability.

Also for the third year, Christa and I provided time daily for prayer ministry. An individual or couple could sign up for a time slot, and we would meet with them, listen, and pray. My point with this post is to remind you of the significant power of simply praying for people. By 'power' I don't mean power in the signs and wonders sense (though neither am I discounting that he is able to do amazing things). I mean it in the sense of the incredible impact and joy when we pray with people in need. This kind of prayer is often neglected: all too often we think of it as a clergyman's duty. Ridiculous! God has given to believers the privilege of coming to his throne of grace. All believers, not just pastors. And when we bring people in need before that throne, there is mercy and grace for their need, and there is delight in the love unleashed in doing so. Praying for folks who are hurting is a very practical means of showing the love of Christ. It is in the very doing a testimony of our faith in Christ and confidence in God's grace and help. Here is a very simple acronym I have often used to train Christians to pray for someone in need. I call it H*A*B*I*T prayer, as in "make it a habit to pray for others around you."

H -- Honor God. Begin with a simple sentence or two of praise and adortation to God for His glory. Thank him for saving you through the cross of Jesus Christ, and giving you the amazing privilege of entering his throne room to pray.

A -- Ask specifically. Bring the person's need to the throne of grace. It is critical that you listen carefully to what the person has said, so that you can pray for them specifically rather than generally. It is disappointing to pour your heart out to someone, then have them pray as if they didn't hear a single word you said.

B -- Bless. Ask God to bless them in ways other than just the specific item prayed earlier. If the person is not a Christian, pray for their spiritual life and awakening to God's grace through Jesus Christ. If you know them well and other aspects of their life, ask God's blessing. "Lord, I ask your blessing on Ted's wife and children as well. Give him wisdom in his business...etc." If you do not know them, simply ask God to pour his blessing into every aspect of life, especially their spiritual life in Jesus Christ.

I -- In Jesus' name. We come to God in prayer only because of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and opened the way for us into the Holy of holies.

T -- Touch as appropriate. If it is appropriate, take the person's hand when you pray for them, or put a hand on their shoulder, whatever seems appropriate to the situation. Take care with this. We should be neither inappropriately "touchy feely" nor cold and "hands off" as if we might catch something.

More could be said on each of these. But that can be at another time. My point today is to ask you, "Do you seize on the opportunities God gives you to pray for those in need who surround you every day?" If you don't, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to communicate with God and communicate to others the love of God.

This year at Joni and Friends Retreat, we heard again reports of answered prayer from last year's prayer ministry. Praise God. He hears and answers prayer. We serve a risen Saviour.

Prayer Champions learn hard work doesn't work

The following post is taken from an article written by the BGC's own Linda Pietrzak and published as a part of the recent 2006 BGC/Bethel University Fire & Reign Conference on June 27-July 1, 2006. Dee Duke lead an inspiring time of personal testimony and prayer... here is an account of the second annual Prayer Champions Day.

MORE than 100 people gathered in the Seminary Chapel Tuesday to be equipped as "prayer champions" to mobilize prayer in their churches. This second annual Prayer Champions Day, arranged by Prayer First director Dana Olson, featured Dee Duke, pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church in Jefferson, Ore. He told the audience about his journey into prioritized prayer that transformed his life and church during his 30 years as a pastor.

Duke told how God led him from his family business as a dairy farmer into the pastorate. But after a number of church splits and difficulties in ministry, he was ready to resign. It was then Duke received an invitation to a pastors prayer summit. Reluctantly, he attended. And God spoke to him very clearly, convicting him of his pride and self-sufficiency.

"I had the idea I could build the church if I just worked hard enough, if I could just find the right principles," he said. "As I sat there those four days and prayed with these other pastors, I became more and more convinced and convicted that for 13 years I had been a prayerless pastor." He returned home and confessed to the congregation his responsibility for their years of struggles as a church.

Throughout the seminar, Duke stressed the importance of making specific written prayer commitments, reviewing them daily and finding accountability partners. Duke also shared practical tips for "praying without your mind wandering" and gave some of his 21 motivating benefits of prayer, including unity, growth in love, knowledge of God, power in preaching and peace amid the pressures of life. (See April 2006 BGC•World in archives on BGC website.)

The seminar also featured Randy Swenson, pastor of First Baptist Church, in Cook, Minn., and members of the church's prayer commission. They shared how God moved them beyond a prayer "program" into a culture of authentic prayer that has born fruit in the church's outreach to the community, particularly among children and youth.

Attendees each received a copy of Duke's new book, Prayer Quest: Breaking Through to Your God-given Dreams and Destiny. Duke also extended an invitation to the annual three-day prayer seminar Jefferson Baptist hosts every January. Go to http://www.jeffersonbaptistchurch.org/ for more information. If you are interested in receiving information about serving as a "prayer champion" for your church, call Dana Olson at 1-800-323-4215 or email bigdana@aol.com.

A Great Day with Dee Duke

Last week we had a great day with Dee Duke speaking at our Prayer Champions event in St. Paul. Dee has such a warm, down-to-earth way of communicating what he has learned about prayer. We gave out 116 copies of his book, Prayer Quest, free to those who registered for the day. For this post I'd like to share Dee's 12 items from chapter 9, Etiquette for Praying With Others. These would go a long way to helping dry, dull prayer meetings be more interactive and compelling.

A. Pray short prayers.

B. Pray loud enough for all to hear.

C. Don't go to sleep. (now that's a helpful suggestion!)

D. Work hard at agreeing.

E. Stay on one topic at a time.

F. Try to connect with the person who prayed before you.

G. Listen to you thoughts. --Dee actually takes notes while at prayer, hence...

H. Bring a notebook and write down ideas, thoughts, and prayers.

I. Pray silently as long as necessary, but press on to become a vocal participant.

J. Don't pray private prayer needs in larger groups.

K. Don't gossip or slander as you pray.

L. Don't preach as you pray.