Edwards wrote this book in 1746 after seeing two remarkable movements
of the Spirit of God, one during 1734-35 and the other in 1740-42.
He was convinced that Christian prayers for revival released the power
of God's Spirit and resulted in converts and would bring worldwide
revival . Furthermore he believed that Christians had a positive duty
to pray for this. In this treatise he employs all his powers of reason
and Scripture knowledge to support his plea for more dedicated and
organised prayer for revival. There had been a 'Memorial' circulated
throughout English-speaking Christendom, particularly in Great Britain,
written by certain Scottish ministers, calling for special or 'extraordinary'
prayer. Edwards endorses their suggestions of such prayer on 'Saturday
evenings, Sunday mornings and the first Tuesday of each quarter, for
an initial period of seven years.' Although there was not another
widespread awakening in the English-speaking world until the 1770's,
and another in the 1790's, this book has fired many an intercessor
to lay hold of God for a breakthough of divine power.
|
|
