Day 15: Prayer that ignites revival!
Psalm 85: 4 Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us once more.5 Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations?6 Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?7 Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.
In September of 1857, New York City was tense and uncertain. Banks were collapsing, businesses were failing, and fear was spreading through the country. In the middle of that anxious moment, a quiet layman named Jeremiah Lanphier decided to do something simple: he invited people to come pray.
Lanphier worked as a missionary for the North Dutch Church in Manhattan. His idea was modest. He printed handbills inviting businessmen to gather for prayer during their lunch hour once a week.
When the first meeting began, the room was empty. For thirty minutes Lanphier sat alone. Then one man walked in. Then another. Eventually six men gathered and prayed together… Six.
No music.
No sermon.
No publicity campaign.
Just prayer.
The next week there were twenty. Soon the meetings moved from weekly to daily because so many people wanted to pray. Within months thousands of people across New York City were gathering at noon for prayer meetings. Churches opened their doors, and entire crowds filled them.
This movement became known as the 1857–1858 the Fulton Street Prayer Revival, or the Businessmen’s Revival. Historians estimate that over one million people came to Christ in the United States during that awakening. What’s remarkable is that it wasn’t driven by famous preachers or large church programs. It began with ordinary believers who decided to pray.
Throughout Scripture, revival begins the same way. God’s people recognize their need, humble themselves before Him, and begin to cry out for His presence again. The psalmist prayed, “Will you not revive us again?” That prayer has echoed across generations of believers. And again and again, God has answered it.
Revival rarely begins in stadiums. It usually begins in quiet rooms… with a few people… who refuse to stop praying. God still responds to that kind of prayer today.
Today, pray for revival in your church, your community, and the next generation. Ask God to awaken hearts, restore passion for His Word, and draw people to Jesus.
Prayer Focus
Lord, we need You to move again. Revive Your people and awaken our hearts. Stir a hunger for You in our church and in our community. Let prayer rise among us until Your Spirit moves in power. Begin with me.
In Jesus name, Amen.