Divine Enablement

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 New Living Translation

     In September 1857, at the North Dutch Reform Church on Fulton Street in New York City, there began what is now known as The Prayer Revival of 1857. However, unlike other revivals, this awakening had no well-known preacher at the center. In fact, it is sometimes called the “Layman’s Revival.” God raised up an ordinary businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier to call a noon-day prayer meeting at his church. He felt a burden to have those working in this business area of New York to come during their lunch time and pray and intercede.

     The first meeting started September 23, 1857. It started small; only a handful of people showed up at the end of the prayer hour. But within a short period of time the meeting grew and expanded throughout New York. Soon every auditorium in New York City was being used at noon every day for prayer. In fact, these prayer meetings were extended throughout the entire day with New York City churches crowded with people crying out to God.

     These meetings were inter-denominational, and evangelistic. People were described as being drawn by the Holy Spirit feeling compelled to pray. Not only Believers, but non-Christians were coming and actually being converted at the prayer meetings. The city, and the nation, began to seek God. The most important person at the meetings was not Jeremiah, but the Person and the work of the Holy Spirit! Prayer was the catalyst for this great revival.

     No situation is beyond God’s power to redeem. Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).  Then He continued in verse 21, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things that the glory may be His alone. But ordinary people don’t live on the mountain-top. Ordinary people experience struggles, confusion, and setbacks. Just remember whenever you experience a setback, the greatest Revivalist in history – the Holy Spirit, is in you. Turn to God, and let prayer be the catalyst to your comeback. The change in you may just be the beginning of the change around you!