Jonathan Edwards on Prayer

The day isYours, the night also is Yours;
You have prepared the light and the sun.
You have set all the borders of the earth;
You have made summer and winter. Psalm 74.16, 17

An Humble Attempt
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
“All the changes brought to pass in the world, from age to age, are ordered by infinite wisdom, in one respect or other to prepare the way for that glorious issue of things, when truth and righteousness shall finally prevail, and he, whose right it is, shall take the kingdom. All the creatures, in all their operations and motions, continually tend to this.”

Edwards says that the creation is like a clock, ticking toward the progress of the Kingdom and the advancement of Christian faith on earth. God employs the entire creation to prepare for the day of revival; and the creation, in whole and part, will share in the glorious liberty of the sons and daughters of God as revival comes (Rom. 8.19-21). Our prayers will be in sync with the course of creation and history, Edwards maintains, when they are working toward the same end toward which all creation is working. As all creation unites “to prepare the way for that glorious issue of things, when truth and righteousness shall finally prevail, and he, whose right it is, shall take the kingdom,” let us get in sync with creation, and unite to groan in prayer, that the liberating power of the Spirit would wash over us all for revival, renewal, and awakening.

Do you think people really believe that the creation is serving the purpose of preparing a stage for revival? Do you believe that?

T. M. Moore

If Men Will Pray
What might God do, if men will begin to take more seriously the work of prayer? Our book, If Men Will Pray, works through Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 2.1-8, and guides men step-by-step in a deeper, more consistent, more fruitful and enjoyable life of prayer. The book is designed to be used by two men, praying together and encouraging one another over a one-month commitment. Watch this brief videoto learn more. Order a copy for yourself and a friend, and start enlisting men to seek the Lord and revival right now (click here).

Learn to Pray for Revival – and Pray!
We currently conduct three meetings to pray for revival, enlisting participants from around the country to come together in our online prayer room once a month – or once a week – to seek the Lord for revival. We use selected psalms to guide our time together, and spend around 30 minutes in prayer together. Join us. We’d like to begin a second weekly group, convening at 4:00 Eastern time each Thursday, to seek the Lord for revival. If you’d like to be part of this group, or if you would like to join an existing revival prayer group, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from Jonathan Edwards, An Humble Attempt, &c. in Edward Hickman, ed. The Works of Jonathan Edwards(Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1834, 1995), Vol. Two, pp. 278ff.