4 Sermon Illustrations on Prayer Meeting

Spurgeon, insisting on brief and varied exercises in meetings for prayer and conference, said, "I never like to have one of my deacons pray for half an hour, and conclude with asking the Lord to forgive our shortenings."

Mr. W—, of —, N. Y., (says the writer of a tract,) was a plain man, a farmer, with a very limited common school education. But he studied the Bible diligently, not to theorize, but that he might know the will of God, and do it. His piety was consistent, humble, meek, benevolent, active, uniform. He was acknowledged by all to be an every-day Christian.

At a time when the church was small and but two or three brethren lived in his vicinity, he consulted his pastor and established a neighborhood prayer meeting, to be held on Sabbath evening in the district school-house. In the circle of attendance there were sixteen or eighteen families, in very few of which the domestic altar had ever been erected. The meeting was commenced in the year 1800. Mr. W— led it for twenty years, when, with a hope full of immortality, and a faith which triumphed over death, he entered his eternal rest.

Others were raised up, who have also gone to their reward. And after the lapse of forty years, when but two of the original heads of families yet live, the prayer meeting, which no heat or cold, no darkness or storm, breaks up, is still sustained and cherished with warm affection.

During the first year of the meeting, several parents and a few youth were brought publicly to profess Christ.— Then succeeded a long and severe trial of faith and perseverance. For fourteen years very few were added to the church, and “the ways of Zion mourned.” Thoughtlessness and mirth prevailed. Few came to the prayer meeting, but it was never relinquished. Mr. W— and one or two others, now in heaven, were always at their post, to pray and speak a word for the Redeemer, to warn sinners of the error of their way, and beseech them to become reconciled to God.

During the fourteenth year of this spiritual dearth, these individuals became so deeply affected in view of the condition of the impenitent, and so anxious that “Zion might arise and shine,” that after others had retired from the school-house, they frequently remained one, two, or three hours in prayer. In the opening spring their hopes revived. The meetings became full and solemn. Their cries had reached heaven, and the Holy Spirit came down. One evening, a youth who had been deeply impressed for several days, could no longer suppress his feelings. He gave vent to his burdened heart by a single expression of warning to his companions, which carried conviction to several other minds, and from that hour a deep solemnity pervaded the neighborhood, and resulted in a glorious and powerful work of grace. The means, blessed of God,

6:8 were personal conversation, family visiting, and more frequent prayer meetings, all conducted among themselves, with very little ministerial help.

The revival continued for two years, and spread not only through that congregation, but into neighboring churches, and hundreds renounced their sins and consecrated themselves to God. In this district nearly every family had now erected a family altar, and nearly every adult was rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Other seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed, and eternity alone can make known the number of souls that have been and will be converted in answer to the prayers offered in that school-room. Some whole households down to the second and third generations, give evidence that they will be united in the great family above. And as another result, not less than ten men have been raised up in these families to preach the blessed gospel.