The Moravians – Missionaries & Prayer Warriors

Summary

This script explores the profound impact of the Moravian missionary movement, which predates the modern Protestant missions often attributed to William Carey. Led by Count Zinzendorf, 300 young German radicals dedicated themselves to spreading Christianity through prayer and missionary work. Their 24/7 prayer meetings lasted for 100 years, sparking inspiration for future generations, including John Wesley and the Methodist movement. This prayer-fueled missionary work continues to influence modern global movements focused on prayer, missions, and fulfilling the Great Commission in the world's hardest places.

Takeaways

• 📜 The modern Protestant missions movement is often traced back to William Carey, a Baptist missionary to India in the 19th century.
• 🌟 Carey is known as the 'father of modern missions,' but his inspiration came from a group of 300 young Moravian radicals from Germany.
• 🔥 These Moravians were led by Count Nicholas Von Zinzendorf and were dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission, spreading the Gospel worldwide.
• 🙏 They were willing to sell themselves into slavery to reach those who had not heard the name of Jesus, demonstrating their devotion and sacrifice.
• 🕊️ Their motto was centered around the lamb who was slain, emphasizing the reward of his suffering as a model for their own sacrifices.
• 🌐 The Moravians' impact was not only in their missionary work but also in inspiring the next generation, including John Wesley and the Methodist movement.
• 🔮 On August 13, 1727, Zinzendorf described a day of the Holy Spirit's outpouring, which led to a commitment to continuous prayer among the Moravians.
• 🕰️ This commitment resulted in 24 men and 24 women covenanting to hourly intercessions, maintaining a prayer chain that lasted for 100 years.
• 🌟 The Moravian community's continuous prayer meeting is seen as the spiritual power behind their global impact and missionary movement.
• 🌍 Today, the Moravian movement is seen as a model for a worldwide prayer movement and missions, encouraging 24/7 prayer and the preaching of the Gospel to every nation.

Q & A

Who is commonly considered the father of the modern Protestant missions movement?

William Carey, a Baptist missionary to India at the beginning of the 19th century, is commonly considered the father of the modern Protestant missions movement.

What was the source of William Carey’s inspiration for his missionary work?

William Carey’s inspiration came from a group of 300 young radicals from Germany, known as the Moravians, who were dedicated to carrying out the Great Commission a generation before Carey.

Who was the leader of the Moravians, and what was significant about him?

The Moravians were led by Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf, a wealthy young ruler who inspired his followers with radical devotion to missionary work, even encouraging them to sell themselves into slavery to reach unreached people.

What was the Moravian watchword that encapsulated their missionary zeal?

The Moravian watchword was: 'That the Lamb who was slain would receive the reward of His suffering,' expressing their passion to spread the gospel and fulfill the Great Commission.

What event on August 13th, 1727, was significant in the Moravian movement?

On August 13th, 1727, the Moravians experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which Count Zinzendorf described as their 'Pentecost.' This event led to a revival in their community.

What commitment did the Moravians make following their Holy Spirit outpouring?

Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 24 men and 24 women covenanted to intercede in prayer every hour around the clock, starting a nonstop prayer meeting that lasted for 100 years.

How did the Moravians influence John Wesley and the Methodist movement?

The Moravians had a profound impact on John Wesley, a young Anglican, which contributed to an unprecedented move of God through the Methodist movement on both sides of the Atlantic.

What modern movements find inspiration in the Moravians’ legacy?

Modern worldwide prayer movements, such as 24/7 houses of prayer and prayer watches, draw inspiration from the Moravians’ model of continuous prayer and missionary zeal.

What was central to the Moravian model of community life and mission?

The Moravian model emphasized community covenant love, unity, corporate fasting and prayer, and a strong commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission through missionary work.

What role did prayer play in the Moravians’ missionary efforts?

Prayer was central to the Moravians’ missionary efforts. They believed in the importance of continual prayer, which fueled their missionary outreach to the hardest and darkest places on earth.