Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing…”

Background

One day a bird landed near and I noticed that its feathers were really ruffled. The expression, which my grandpa used frequently, immediately came to life: “Don’t get your feathers all ruffled.” That is, do not worry or be anxious about the matter at hand. Jeremiah Lanphier probably needed to hear those words on September 23, 1857, as he knelt alone in prayer. He was the only participant in a newly established prayer meeting that he had started. Lanphier had handed out hundreds of handbills entitled “How often shall we pray?” to try and recruit people to be a part of the prayer meetings. He was addressing a major problem in the church of his day – prayerlessness.

Application

History records that God eventually did bring people to pray that day – six the first week, 20 the second week and in six months, 50,000 people were praying in New York City. Because of Lanphier’s courage and determination to call God’s people to prayer, the Layman’s Prayer Revival of 1857-1858 was used mightily of God to revive the church, convert millions and foster world missions during the middle of the 19th century. So, whenever something seems hopeless or you are discouraged, don’t let your feathers get ruffled. Pray!

Charge

As we seek Him today, pray for the Lord to raise up a faithful group of passionate prayer mobilizers in churches across North America. Pray toward personal faithfulness in prayer.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words