On the contrary, the real warfare is conducted in the heavenly realms and is directed against the devil and his hierarchy of demons. (Eph. 6:12). It is this warfare that paves the way for manifestations in these other realms. We pray and obey our way to victory.
Every great revivalist of days gone by knew this as a valid fact. It was said of Charles Parham that “prevailing prayer solved every problem, and it is the foundation to all of his work.” Such prayer brought the supernatural presence of God not only in the modern era, but throughout history.
In 1745, Jonathan Edwards, son-in-law of David Brainerd, prayed for the revival among the American Indians until the snow melted around him and was stained by his blood. Brainerd recorded the results of his prayers:
The power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly like a mighty rushing wind and with an astounding energy bore down all before it. I stood amazed at the influence that seized the audience almost universally and could compare it to nothing more aptly than the irresistible force of a mighty torrent.Charles Finney categorically stated, “A revival can be expected when Christians have the spirit of prayer for revival.”
Finney defined such a spirit of prayer as not simply “correct words and phrases,” but a continuous desire for the redemption of mankind. The real key is what Finney called “secret prayer.” Believers would gather to spend hours in private prayer on behalf of their need for God.
The outcry for effective prayer was astounding. In 1857, noonday prayer meetings broke out in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other cities. The result was that the entire nation was stirred by the commitment to prayer.
In the outbreak of the Spirit in 1857, for a period of six to eight weeks when the revival was at its height, it was estimated that fifty thousand persons were converted throughout the country, and the revivals lasted for more than a year. It became evident that the sum total reached an enormous figure. Conservative estimates placed the number of converts at five hundred thousand.
Only the presence of God that is brought by prayer can produce such results. In Old Testament times, Habakkuk defined revival this way:
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. (Hab. 3:2)In response to that prayer:
God came…
His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.Revival can be defined in two words: God came. And God’s coming is in response to prayer.
(Hab. 3:3-4)
It was said of Maria Woodworth-Etter that, if she went into a town or city and nothing happened, she would pray all night until God’s presence overcame every obstacle.
The Welsh Revival was primarily a revival of prayer. Evan Roberts prayed continually for thirteen months for the wave of revival to come. It is said of Roberts that his landlady “kicked him out” of his lodgings because she thought he was possessed, or at least mad, because of his intense and loud praying. He came out of that prayer time and asked a friend, “Now do you believe God can give us a hundred thousand souls?” That vision was fulfilled in six months.
D. L. Moody’s great success has been attributed to two “little old ladies” of prayer. Mrs. Sarah Cooke and a Mrs. Hawkhurst joyfully interceded on his behalf for the spiritual power he lacked. Moody resisted them at first, until he was overcome by a great new power for service.
In Los Angeles, just before the Azusa Street revival broke out, the people were called to prayer. Pastor Smale of First Baptist wrote to Evan Roberts in Wales to ask him the secret of the Welsh Revival. Roberts wrote back, “My dear brother in the faith…I am impressed of your sincerity and honesty of purpose. Congregate the people who are willing to make a total surrender. Pray and wait. Believe God’s promises. Hold daily meetings. May God bless you in your earnest prayer. Yours in Christ, Evan Roberts.”
The advice is no different for us today. If we want to see God move in His fullness, we must make a total surrender of our lives to Him. Pray, wait, and believe God, meet regularly, and watch for Him to move.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers