Herrnhutt and the 100 year prayer meeting
Here is the view from the memorial area of Herrnhutt, in Germany (Part of old East Germany). The village of Herrnhut, “The Lord’s Watch,” came about because on June 17, 1722 a little band of religious fugitives from Moravia (in the modern Czech Republic) asked Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf if they might settle on his land. The Count agreed.
Herrnhut had become a gathering place for many religious exiles. These spoke different languages and had differing customs. Creeds varied. Lutherans, Schwenkfelders, Separatists, Reformed and Brethren lived side by side. Squabbles developed. Zinzendorf found himself moving from home to home speaking with families of their spiritual need. The people began to study the Bible, hold all-night prayer vigils and confess their sins one to another. Zinzendorf established “bands,” groups of two, three or more who would encourage each other spiritually. Plans were drawn up to reorganize and unify the community. A sense of expectancy grew.
On August 13, 1727, at a baptism and communion service, the Holy Spirit moved through the room. Differences dissolved. All embraced one another in forgiveness and a spirit of love. Christ became central to their thinking. They established a twenty-four hour around-the-clock prayer vigil which lasted one hundred years. The fervent prayers resulted in the sending out of missionaries to many lands–the first Protestant missions outside Europe and North America. Thus Herrnhut reached out and touched other lands. Moravians influenced John and Charles Wesley. Moravian missionary zeal prompted William Carey’s efforts to reach India for Christ. “See what these Moravians have done,” he said in his appeal to have missionaries commissioned.
Here we are gathered with our group for a time of prayer over Europe. From this vantage point, high over the city of Herrnhutt we could see Germany, Czech Republic and Poland. We prayed for these nations and we were blessed to stand where Christians stood 280 years ago praying for the same region. Out of that prayer meeting, which began in 1727 and lasted for 100 years (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) came a great burst of missions activity all around the world. Missionaries went out for Herrnhutt to the West Indies, to Greenland, to Lapland, to Ethiopia, and to many other nations to preach the gospel. They inspired William Carey the father of world missions. They touched John and Charles Wesley, and through them helped to bring revival throughout England and to the States. Remember this was a band of only a few hundred people, not thousands, but a few hundred. There legacy is still being experienced in the world.
For example we found this really cool ministry in the city of Herrnhutt, which was directly connected to Count Zinzendorf and the original Herrnhutt movement. Pastor Frank, in this picture with us shared the vision of the Jesus House with us (He’s the blond in the white jacket). Jesus House was formerly a part of the Herrnhutt mission. It was sort of the business side of the ministry, and was a very successful trading house 240 years ago. Funds from the business were used to finance missionary travels. All these years later the building had come back to Christians (after having been a hospital, during Communist times). Now this group of believers in Herrnhutt has a vision for a new “house of prayer” in the spirit of Herrnhutt. We toured this lovely and venerable building in Herrnhutt and were really impressed by the work, and the vision to gather people to prayer for the nations. Pastor Frank was a delight and we felt an almost immediate kinship with him in his work. Some of it sounded like “Cry for Awakening” in terms of focus and purpose.
Here is one of the memorials on the Herrnhutt property. The insignia of the Moravians is visible on this tombstone. “The Lamb of God has conquered, let us follow Him.” Tonight begins the conference “God’s broken heart for the world.” Ned will be the first speaker, tonight at 7 P.M. Pray for us as we gather with leaders from around this region. We will certainly be thinking and praying for you.
Peace,
the black dwarf