Moody, Prayer, Revival

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

A biographer wrote about a sabbatical D. L. Moody took from his ministry in Chicago. He went to England. A local pastor met Moody and begged him to preach at his church. Finally, he prevailed and Moody went to his church the next Sunday morning to preach. That afternoon he recorded in his journal that it was the deadest crowd he had ever seen and the only thing worse than preaching to those people was that he had promised to speak again the same night.

That Sunday night, something happened. Hearts began to melt. Moody asked if anyone would like to become a Christian. So many people responded, Moody was taken by surprise, ”Maybe you don't understand what I am asking. So when we are dismissed if you want to become a Christian come over to this little room and meet with me." When the service was over, Moody went to the room and it was packed; and many people became Christ followers.

The next day, Moody boarded a train for Ireland. When he disembarked, a message was waiting for him, "Come back. Revival has broken out.” Moody turned right around and went back to the church. He preached for 10 straight nights and over 400 people came to faith in Christ. 

It was only later that he discovered that, before he had come to England, an 80 year old widow named Mary Ann Adeland had read one of his sermons in the newspaper and began praying every day that God would bring Moody to her church.

What a powerful thing prayer is. It’s really mysterious when you think about it…especially prayer in the secret place. How does it work? Why does it work? A widow's relentless prayer for her lost neighbors, changed the plans of Moody’s sabbatical. Or should I say, “adjusted” his plans for a God-orchestrated harvest. 

That’s why we pray for the lost; for a great revival!

Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. Psalm 85:6-7