Jonathan Edwards on Prayer
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4.7, 8

Distinguishing Marks
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
“If the spirit that is at work among a people operates as a spirit of love to God and man, it is a sure sign that is the Spirit of God…In these verses love is spoken of as if it were that wherein the very nature of the Holy Spirit consisted; or, as if divine love dwelling in us, and the Spirit of God dwelling in us, were the same thing…”

The first fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God is love (Gal. 5.22, 23). Where love for God and neighbor is in short supply, we can be sure that the Spirit of God has not yet revived His listless people. The love of God sends grace into the world of the lost (Jn. 3.16). Love for God moves us to bear witness to Jesus (1 Cor. 9.16). Love for God draws us to seek and wait on Him in prayer (Ps. 27) and to devote our entire lives to serving Him (Deut. 6.4, 5). When we love our neighbors, we will regard their concerns as more important than our own, and freely give whatever we can to help meet their needs (Rom. 12.3; Acts 4.32). When the Body of Christ is a community maturing in the love of Jesus, unity prevails, false teaching and worldly ways are opposed, and every member of the community looks to the wellbeing of those entrusted to his care (Eph. 4.11-16). As we pray for revival, let us nurture a vision of love abounding in and through us, flowing with living water to refresh the world in grace and truth, and let us pray earnestly that it may please God to send His Spirit for such renewal in love.

Where do you see evidence of the Spirit of God working to engender such love in your church? How can you encourage growing in love like this?

Jonathan Edwards on Prayer
We have put together our 8-week series of Jonathan Edwards on prayer into a 28-day morning and evening meditation entitled, Give Him No Rest. To each of these 56 meditations we have added a prayer prompt, to guide you in taking the words of Scripture and Edwards to heart. This is an excellent resource for personal use, family devotions, or a staff-and-church-leaders study in prayer. And it’s free. For your copy of Give Him No Rest: Jonathan Edwards on Prayer, simply send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Ready for Revival?
Are you praying for revival? Are you gathering others to pray with you? Are you preparing your church for the coming harvest? You can, and you should. Two resources from our bookstore can help. The book, Restore Us!, can provide the rationale, resources, and encouragement you need to take up this calling as an ongoing aspect of your walk with and work for the Lord. Order your copy by clicking here. And our book, Preparing Your Church for Revival, shows you how to ready the hearts of church members and leaders for the work we look to God to do in our community. Order your copy by clicking here.

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, Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, in Edward Hickman, ed. The Works of Jonathan Edwards(Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1834, 1995), Vol. Two, pp. 257ff.