A 27-year-old nobleman from Saxony (in present-day Germany), Nicholaus von Zinzendorf was the key figure in a spiritual revival in 1727. Early in life he chose as his motto: “I have but one passion – it is Jesus, Jesus only.” At age 16 he had formed seven praying societies at college.
Count Zinzendorf’s love for Jesus led him to invest his wealth and property in housing a group of Moravians, refugees from religious persecution in nearby Bohemia. They founded the village of Herrnhut, meaning “The Lord’s Watch.”
Much prayer, a signed covenant of unity, and total surrender to God preceded revival among the Moravians. When revival fell:
A modern-day prayer model founded on the Moravian example was begun by Dr. Jason Hubbard, of Light of the World Prayer Center in Washington State, USA. Dr. Hubbard challenged the pastors of his county to unite in 24/7 prayer. Now, 80% of the pastors in the county meet monthly for prayer, and their churches cover one day per month in prayer.
In one of the most unchurched counties in the U.S., in a decade they have seen 80 new churches planted, thousands come to faith in Christ, crime reduced, abortion numbers drop and adoption numbers rise. This “prayer canopy” model has spread to cities around the world.
It can happen again. May we pray, may we put Jesus first, may we seek to win the lost as Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians did. May God use you — use me — to spark revival in our day.
~ Judith Neibling, Cru Communications
*The Little Town That Blessed the World, 2007, by Jeff Fountain, YWAM publishing.