In 1857, our nation was tearing itself apart. Civil war was imminent, the economy was devastated. Unemployment and poverty was widespread. The world was headed for a brink and people knew it. They must prepare spiritually.
One man began to pray in a church near Wall Street. He hung posters and handed out flyers. Soon, five others joined him. Then forty. Then hundreds. Then thousands.
There was no preaching. Just earnest prayer for one another. They prayed to save families. They prayed for lives to be changed. They threw themselves on the altar of God and begged for mercy. The prayer meetings spread to Philadelphia, to Chicago, then across country, then to Europe.
Newspapers reported on its effects daily. There was no leader in this revival, no hysteria, no show, and little preaching. There were many changes lives.
Businesses nationwide began to close at noon to attend daily prayer. Most historians believe that 1 million souls were brought to salvation. Conservative estimates put that number at 300,000.
It began with one man’s desire to pray. Revival always begins in prayer. It is time once again for us to pray.
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