Moravian Prayer and Missions Movement

Summary

The Moravian movement, led by Count Zinzendorf, was a pivotal chapter in church history, marked by the launch of the first Protestant prayer and missionary movements. Zinzendorf, a nobleman with a deep personal faith, established a community in Herrnhut that embraced unity and prayer, leading to a revival known as the Moravian Pentecost. This spiritual awakening sparked a commitment to global missions, with believers dedicating their lives to spreading the gospel. The Moravians' emphasis on prayer, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the worthiness of Jesus Christ continues to inspire Christian communities today.

Takeaways

• 😇 The Moravians, led by Count Zinzendorf, are noted for launching the first Protestant 24/7 prayer movement and the first Protestant missionary movement.
• 👑 Count Zinzendorf, a wealthy aristocrat, was deeply spiritual and committed to spreading the Gospel, influenced by his praying grandmother and a profound encounter with Christ's sacrifice.
• 🖼️ A painting of the crucified Christ in Dusseldorf had a transformative impact on Zinzendorf, leading him to dedicate his life to glorifying Christ.
• 🛐 The Moravian movement originated from the persecution of the Bohemian reformer John Huss and was further shaped by the refuge provided by Zinzendorf to the Moravian brethren.
• 🌐 The community at Herrnhut, established by Zinzendorf, became a beacon of prayer and unity, with a commitment to 24/7 prayer and a deep sense of mission.
• 🗣️ The 'Brotherly Agreement' of 1727 marked a turning point for the community, uniting them in service to Christ and each other, which catalyzed a revival and a strong missionary impulse.
• 🔥 The Moravian Pentecost on August 13, 1727, was a significant event where the Holy Spirit fell upon the community, instilling a profound love for one another and a zeal for evangelism.
• 👫 The Moravians emphasized the importance of prayer, not just for individual needs but also for the broader mission of the church, including support for missionaries and the spread of the Gospel.
• 🎶 Music and hymns played a central role in Moravian worship, with Zinzendorf himself composing numerous hymns that centered on Christ.
• 🚢 The Moravians sent out missionaries, like John Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann, who were willing to give their lives to spread the Gospel among the slaves and indigenous peoples.

Q & A

Who were the Moravians and what significant role did they play in church history?

The Moravians were a Protestant Christian movement that played a significant role in church history by launching the first Protestant 24/7 prayer movement and the first Protestant missionary movement, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Who was Count Zinzendorf and how did he influence the Moravian movement?

Count Zinzendorf was a wealthy aristocrat and the leader of the Moravian movement. He was deeply committed to prayer and the spread of the gospel, influencing the Moravians to establish a disciplined life of prayer and to engage in missionary work.

What was the impact of Count Zinzendorf's encounter with the crucified Christ in Dusseldorf?

Count Zinzendorf's encounter with the crucified Christ in Dusseldorf led to a profound spiritual transformation. He fell to his knees and promised to dedicate his life to glorifying Christ for the sacrifice made on the cross.

What was the significance of the 'Brotherly Agreement' signed by the Moravians on May 12, 1727?

The 'Brotherly Agreement' marked a commitment by the Moravians to dedicate their lives to the service of Jesus Christ and to one another in unity, which led to a deeper spiritual movement among them.

How did the Moravian community experience revival in the summer of 1727?

The Moravian community experienced revival in the summer of 1727 through a series of prayer meetings, spiritual gatherings, and a commitment to unity and forgiveness, culminating in a powerful move of the Holy Spirit on August 13th, known as the Moravian Pentecost.

What was the 'Hourly Intercession' and how did it contribute to the Moravian movement?

The 'Hourly Intercession' was a commitment by 24 men and 24 women to pray for one hour each day, creating a continuous cycle of prayer. This practice contributed to the Moravian movement by fostering a strong sense of community and devotion to prayer.

Why were the Moravians committed to missions and how did they express this commitment?

The Moravians were committed to missions out of a deep love for Christ and a desire to share the gospel with the unreached peoples of the world. They expressed this commitment through strategic missions, sending out missionaries equipped with a burning love for Jesus and the power of prayer.

What was the role of children and youth in the Moravian revival and their mission movement?

Children and youth played a significant role in the Moravian revival, experiencing a powerful move of the Holy Spirit that influenced the entire community. Their passion for prayer and the gospel was a driving force behind the mission movement.

How did Count Zinzendorf's passion for Christ influence the Moravian mission strategy?

Count Zinzendorf's passion for Christ was the driving force behind the Moravian mission strategy. He emphasized the importance of prayer, the love of Christ, and the worthiness of the Lamb, which led to a mission movement focused on evangelizing the world with a handful of saints equipped with love and prayer.

What was the Moravian's motivation for sending missionaries to distant nations?

The Moravians were motivated by an ardent desire to promote the salvation of their fellow men by making known the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were grieved by the thought of people sitting in darkness and were compelled to obey Christ's command to preach the gospel to every creature.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 The Moravian Revival and Count Zinzendorf's Early Life

The video script begins by highlighting the Moravian movement, led by Count Zinzendorf, as a significant chapter in church history. It emphasizes the Moravians' role in initiating the first Protestant prayer and missionary movements. Zinzendorf, born into nobility, was deeply influenced by his devout grandmother and had a transformative encounter with Christ as a teenager. This led him to a life of prayer and commitment to spreading the gospel. The script also touches on the Moravian Brethren's origins, tracing back to the Bohemian reformer John Huss and detailing their persecution and eventual refuge in Germany under Zinzendorf's patronage.

05:02

🔥 The Summer of Revival and the Moravian Pentecost

Paragraph 2 delves into the internal struggles of the Moravian community, including dissension and false teachings, which led to a period of division. Zinzendorf's move to Herrnhut in 1727 marked a turning point, as he preached unity and forgiveness, culminating in the signing of the Brotherly Agreement on May 12, 1727. This event initiated a revival, known as the Summer of Revival, characterized by increased prayer and worship. The community, comprising 220 people including 87 children, experienced a spiritual awakening, with August 13, 1727, being particularly significant due to a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit during the Lord's Supper, an event often referred to as the Moravian Pentecost.

10:03

🕰️ The Establishment of Continuous Prayer and Missionary Zeal

Paragraph 3 focuses on the Moravians' commitment to continuous prayer, established in response to Christ's call for vigilance. The community, including children and adults, engaged in an hourly intercession, praying around the clock. This practice expanded over time, involving more members of the community. They also adopted a mission statement emphasizing the importance of prayer and service, with a structure that included a weekly midweek service for shared prayer points. The Moravians' prayer life was outward-focused, aiming to support missionaries and evangelize unreached communities. Their passion for missions was fueled by a deep love for Christ, leading to the establishment of the first Protestant missionary movement.

15:04

🚢 The Moravian Missionaries: Pioneers of Global Evangelism

This paragraph narrates the Moravian missionaries' dedication and sacrifice as they embarked on global evangelism. It highlights the departure of the first Moravian missionaries, John Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann, on October 8, 1732, to the Danish West Indies. Their commitment was so profound that they were willing to sell themselves into slavery to spread the gospel. The paragraph also discusses the Moravians' understanding of their mission, their motivation rooted in the love for Christ and the desire to share the gospel with those in darkness. The legacy of the Moravian missionaries includes the establishment of over 5,000 missionary settlements worldwide, a testament to their unwavering dedication to Christ and the gospel.

20:04

🌟 Learning from the Moravians: A Call for Modern-Day Discipleship

The final paragraph reflects on the Moravian movement's legacy and its relevance for contemporary Christianity. It outlines three key values from the Moravians: a commitment to strategic missions, the establishment of a sustainable prayer movement, and a spirit-led, love-motivated approach to prayer and missions. The paragraph emphasizes the centrality of Jesus' worthiness in the Moravians' lives and their unwavering focus on his sacrifice. It concludes with a prayer for a modern-day reformation that rekindles the church's passion for prayer, unity, and evangelism, and for the exaltation of Jesus Christ in the nations.

Keywords

💡Zinzendorf

Zinzendorf refers to Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a German nobleman and religious leader who played a pivotal role in the Moravian Church. He is depicted in the video as a wealthy aristocrat with a deep spiritual commitment, having a transformative encounter with Christ that led him to dedicate his life to prayer and spreading the gospel. His leadership and vision were instrumental in launching the first Protestant missionary movement and establishing a 24/7 prayer movement.

💡Moravians

The Moravians are a Protestant Christian denomination that emerged from the teachings of Jan Hus and the Bohemian Reformation. In the video, they are portrayed as a group of believers who faced persecution and sought refuge on Zinzendorf's estate. They are known for their commitment to prayer, community, and missions, which are highlighted through their establishment of the first Protestant missionary movement and their dedication to continuous prayer.

💡24/7 Prayer Movement

The 24/7 Prayer Movement refers to a practice of continuous, round-the-clock prayer that was initiated by the Moravians under Zinzendorf's leadership. The video emphasizes this movement as a significant spiritual innovation, where individuals committed to praying for an hour each day, ensuring that prayer was unceasing. This practice was seen as a way to maintain a constant connection with God and to intercede for the needs of the world.

💡Missionary Movement

The term 'Missionary Movement' in the video describes the Moravians' initiative to send missionaries to spread the Christian gospel to various parts of the world. This movement was characterized by a deep sense of calling and sacrifice, with missionaries often leaving their homes with the intention of never returning, focusing on serving others and sharing their faith.

💡Pentecost

In the context of the video, 'Pentecost' refers to a significant spiritual event that occurred on August 13, 1727, where the Moravian community experienced a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit during a communion service. This event is likened to the biblical Pentecost, marking a turning point in the community's spiritual life and catalyzing a revival that emphasized love, unity, and a renewed commitment to prayer and missions.

💡Unity

Unity is a central theme in the video, reflecting the Moravians' commitment to come together in love and fellowship after a period of division. The signing of the 'Brotherly Agreement' symbolizes their dedication to unity, which is seen as essential for effective prayer and mission work. The unity experienced by the Moravians is presented as a model for Christian communities, emphasizing the power of collective devotion and service.

💡Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is depicted in the video as a transformative force that empowers the Moravians in their spiritual journey. The community's experiences of the Holy Spirit, particularly during the 'Moravian Pentecost,' led to a deepened sense of love for one another and a renewed zeal for prayer and mission work. The Holy Spirit is presented as the catalyst for the revival and the driving force behind the Moravians' commitment to prayer and outreach.

💡Lamb of God

The 'Lamb of God' is a recurring symbol in the video, representing Jesus Christ's sacrificial death for humanity's sins. The Moravians' deep love for the Lamb is portrayed as the wellspring of their passion for prayer and missions. The phrase 'may the Lamb that was slain receive the due reward for his sufferings' encapsulates their belief in the supreme worth of Christ's sacrifice and their desire to honor him through their service.

💡Self-Denial

Self-denial is highlighted in the video as a key aspect of the Moravians' lifestyle, emphasizing a commitment to sacrifice personal desires for the sake of the gospel. This concept is exemplified by the missionaries' readiness to endure hardships and even death in their mission work. Self-denial is presented as a necessary discipline for those who seek to follow Christ fully and to serve others selflessly.

💡Revival

Revival, as discussed in the video, refers to a period of spiritual awakening and renewal experienced by the Moravian community. The 'Summer of Revival' is marked by a collective commitment to prayer, worship, and unity, which led to a profound sense of the Holy Spirit's presence and a renewed passion for spreading the gospel. The revival is depicted as a transformative period that shaped the Moravians' identity and mission.

Highlights

Zinzendorf and the Moravians launched the first Protestant 24/7 prayer movement and the first Protestant missionary movement.

Zinzendorf was a wealthy aristocrat who became a leader in the Moravian movement.

Zinzendorf had a transformative encounter with Christ as a teenager, leading him to dedicate his life to glorifying the lamb.

The Moravian movement originated from the persecution of the Bohemian reformer John Huss in 1415.

In 1722, Moravian refugees found refuge and asylum on Zinzendorf's estates in Saxony.

The community at Herrnhut was dedicated to being a dwelling place of the Lord and a place of prayer.

The Moravians experienced a period of dissension and division before Zinzendorf's intervention in 1727.

The signing of the Brotherly Agreement in 1727 marked a commitment to unity and service to Christ.

The Moravian Pentecost occurred on August 13, 1727, leading to an extraordinary outpouring of love and unity.

The Moravians established a 24/7 prayer chain that lasted for over a century.

The Moravians' mission statement emphasized the importance of prayer and service in the gospel's spread.

Zinzendorf's passion for Jesus and the lost led to a commitment to evangelize the world.

The Moravian Church's seal symbolizes their commitment to following the Lamb of God in missions.

Moravian missionaries were characterized by their radical devotion and willingness to give their lives for the gospel.

The Moravians' missionary efforts led to the establishment of over 5,000 missionary settlements worldwide.

Zinzendorf's life was marked by his total allegiance to Jesus Christ, emphasizing the worthiness of the Lamb.

John Wesley, impressed by the Moravian movement, desired to see such Christianity cover the earth.

The Moravian movement can serve as a model for modern Christian missions and prayer movements.

A prayer for a lamb's reformation in the church to honor the slain Lamb and release a spirit of prayer and love.

Transcripts

[Music]

zinzendorf and the moravians i believe

is truly one of the greatest in church

history god used these simple

humble believers to launch the first

protestant 24 7 prayer movement and the

first protestant missionary movement

taking the gospel

to the ends of the earth

now kel zinzendorf their leader was a

wealthy aristocrat he was a nobleman by

birth

some describe him as the rich young

ruler who said yes

giving up as well for the sake of the

gospel

to follow the lamb

wherever he goes

zinzendorf was born in dresden and he

had a godly praying grandmother he came

to christ at a young age and was often

found in prayer meetings

in his youth following his grandmother's

footsteps

when he was a teenager he had a powerful

encounter with the lord

in a gallery in dusseldorf he saw a

painting of the crucified christ

he stared at it for many hours he saw

the blood dripping from every wound he

saw love glowing in every tear

now the artist of the painting had been

saved by jesus from a life of deep

darkness and sin

at the caption at the bottom of the

painting were these words

this is what i have done for you

what will you do for me

zinzendorf read that he fell to his

knees sobbing and with all of his heart

he promised that for the rest of his

life he would glorify the lamb

for what he had suffered on the cross

in a sense zinzidorf had been wounded by

the wounded one

pierced through by the pierced one and

scarred by the revelation of the

sacrifice

of the son of god

flowing out of zinzendorf's passionate

love for christ

came a life disciplined in prayer

count zinzendorf had early on learned

the secret of prevailing prayer so

active had he been in establishing

circles of prayer in school that are

leaving the college at 16 years of age

she handed his professor a list of seven

praying societies

he had chosen from an early age as his

life motto the now famous confession i

have only one passion it is jesus

jesus only in his passionate love for

jesus and him crucified zinzendorf

committed to give his life to prayer and

to see the gospel reach the ends of the

earth where it was most needed

now the story of the moravian moravian

brethren it sprung from the labors and

martyrdom of the bohemian reformer john

huss in 1415 and like us they would

experience much persecution many of them

would be killed in prison tortured

banished over the next several years

from their homeland

a few centuries later fast forward 1722

a group of these bohemian moravians from

the modern day czech republic had fled

for refuge to germany where the young

christian nobleman count zinzendorf

offered them asylum and refuge on his

estates in saxony

this group was led by christian david

who was a carpenter christian david was

called the moravian moses because he had

escorted families back and forth from

moravia to zinzendorf's estate literally

10 times

when christian david fell the first tree

to build the first home on june 17 1722

he offered a prayer of dedication for

this little town quoting psalm 84 3.

even a sparrow finds a home and swallow

a nest for herself where she may lay her

young at your altars o lord of hosts my

king

and my god

this land

was first dedicated to be a dwelling

place of the lord an altar for the lord

of hosts

when the moravians first arrived

zinzendorf was out of town

so they connected with a godly man named

heights who was zen's endorsement

manager

and in writing a letter to zinzendorf

heights gave the name of this place

calling it harenhoot meaning watch of

the lord

now this had a double meaning first

it would be a place under the lord's

watchful care

a place of refuge under the canopy of

the lord's presence

and second it would be a place

where the moravians would keep watch

before the lord in prayer and

intercession the key verse for

zinzendorf was isaiah 62

6

it says this

on your walls o jerusalem i have set

watchmen

all the day and all the night they shall

never be silent you who put the lord in

remembrance

take no rest and give him no rest until

he establishes jerusalem and makes it a

praise on the earth

now when zinzadorf returned to his home

in bergelsdorf he saw a light up on the

hill and he fell to his knees dedicating

this little community to the lord in

prayer

now for the next five years from 1722 to

1727 this small community struggled like

in a lot of ways they experienced

dissension bitterness they had judgment

against one another even false teaching

they were as divided as you could be

when zinsdorf caught window of this he

moved from beverless dwarf to heronhard

in 1727 he was just 27 years old

and he went from home to home preaching

the cross of christ the blood of the

lamb and pleading with the young

community to forgive one another and be

reconciled

and so as this work began on may 12 1727

after a lecture by zinzidorf they signed

an agreement called the brotherly

agreement

they agreed to dedicate their lives to

the service of jesus christ and to one

another in unity

and it was at this point that the spirit

began to move in a deeper way among them

on july 22nd the community covenanted to

meet often in prayer and worship

beginning what would later be referred

to as the summer

of revival now at this time there's

about 220 people they lived in 30

different homes and 87 of them were

children

since incendorf had experienced god much

in his youth he had a passion to

disciple the children and the youth and

parents study of god's word

asking god in prayer to pour his spirit

out on a young generation

now over the course of the summer

they had now come together in unity and

in one accord they had emptied

themselves of bitterness and idolatry

and now they were ready to receive a

fresh infilling

of the holy spirit

so on august 5th zen zedorf and 14

others they spent the night in prayer to

god

and then on august 10th pastor john roth

was so overwhelmed by the holy spirit he

wrote he says he sank down in the dust

and a conviction of the presence of the

lord and the entire community followed

and continued until midnight in prayer

singing and weeping

and then on august 13th

1727

they were walking from herron hew to the

lutheran church in bardo's door to share

in the lord's supper together

as

a powerful sermon on the cross of christ

and after confession of sin

and further reconciliation they came to

the communion table

a hush fell in the holy spirit

fell upon them it was so powerful that

many referred to it as a moravian

pentecost

as they received the love of god poured

into their hearts by the holy spirit it

spilled out an extraordinary love for

one another some even described it as a

baptism

of love

one of the accounts

that was written that says

after august 13th

there was such a movement in the

fellowship that the bushes on the

hootberg that's up on the hill were

filled with brothers sisters and

children day

and night who on their faces or

prostrate were praying reaping

and seeing

another account writes this

on august 23rd there was such a spirit

of prayer that gripped the boys and

girls that no one could listen to them

without being moved to the heart

on august 29th from 11 p.m to 1 a.m in

the night there was heart-moving prayer

and singing from the girls at the same

time the boys were lying in another

place of prayer it was such a powerful

move in the spirit amongst the children

that words fail to describe it

fantastic this revival amongst the

children

obviously had such a great influence on

the parents and the rest of those in the

community and i think this is a powerful

testimony and something that we need to

hear today

that god responded not just to the

prayers of the adults

but of children and youth as well

in releasing an outpouring of the spirit

that led to the first 24 7 prayer and

missions movement amongst protestant

churches it was truly

an

intergenerational perv movement

we see that again in our day

now the first mark of this outpouring of

the spirit of course was love for one

another when they had been divided

before now they were united in love

bearing one another's burdens forgiving

one another honoring one another and

praying for one another

that was after this outpouring of the

holy spirit that the lord spoke to

zinzendorf from leviticus chapter 6 13

that the fire

should never go out on the altar

because of the sacrifice of christ they

should respond in prayer with unceasing

night and day prayer because of the

absolute worth

of jesus he's all deserving

on august 26 they launched a canopy of

night and day prayer 24 men 24 women and

they committed to an hour of prayer each

day they called this hourly intercession

and it was in response to christ's

exhortation to peter at gethsemane could

you not watch with me one hour

now the list included seven names of the

revived girls committed to praying an

hour a day and eventually increased from

the 48 adults to 77. most of these

prayers now were simply ordinary

believers they were housewives craftsman

bakers and even children young and old

listen this committed prayer chain swept

through the community and it lasted

listen a hundred plus years

they didn't just pray in one location

but in their normal lives at their homes

on their lunch breaks early in the

morning and through the watches of the

night

and they'd often be praying in twos or

threes during their committed hours of

prayer

their mission statement was this i love

this one on the field one at home one to

pray and one to go in fact they didn't

permit anyone to go to work

unless someone was first praying

during an evening service may 3rd uh

1728 zinzendorf gave them a verse from

scripture he called it a watchword for

the next day

and the moravians who had been at that

service they took this word to the

30-plus homes and they exhorted them to

use this verse for the next day's prayer

in worship focus

these watch words were compiled and

eventually published in 1731 one for

each day of the year

called the daily text

this helped them now to pray in

agreement with one another and to pray

through the word of god the scriptures

zinzendorf would also gather that

committedly committed hourly

intercessions and prayers once a week

for a midweek service to share prayer

points and pray with them together

through these prayer points

prayer was primarily outward the

kingdom-focused prayer rather than

simply praying for individual needs they

would cry out for other communities for

missionaries on the field and for god to

open a door for the gospel to reach

unbelievers

and this was also a singing community

they would often meet together in the

mornings and evenings to start and end

their day in songs of praise

zinzador was a prolific songwriter he

wrote and composed up to a thousand plus

gospel centered hymns

[Music]

that was under this canopy of day and

night prayer

that god began to mark missionaries

to carry the gospel

to the ends of the earth

as zenzador's passion for jesus grew

so did his passion for the lost

he became determined to evangelize the

world with just a handful of saints

equipped with a burning love for jesus

and the power of prayer

now see it was designed to express their

newfound missionary zeal

the seal of the moravian church has in

its center the white lamb of god

this lamb holds a staff with a victory

banner displaying the cross and in a

circular band on the outer edge it says

this

our lamb has conquered

let us follow him

i love it

the moravians recognize themselves

in debt to the world as trustees

witnesses of the gospel they were taught

to embrace a lifestyle of self-denial of

sacrifice and simple obedience

as i study church history

i'm not sure if there have been many

soldiers to the cross

that have been bolder as pioneers

more patient or persistent in

difficulties

more heroic and suffering

more entirely devoted to christ and the

souls of men than these precious

moravian brotherhood

the moravians beautifully explained

their motivation for missions in the

following 1791 evangelical report it

writes this

the simple motive of the brethren for

sending missionaries to distant nations

was and is an ardent desire to promote

the salvation of their fellow men

by making known to them the gospel of

our savior jesus christ

it grieved them to hear of so many

thousands and millions of the human race

sitting in darkness and groaning beneath

the yoke of sin and the tyranny of satan

and remembering the glorious promises

given in the word of god that the

heathen also should be the reward of the

sufferings and death of jesus

and considering his commandment to his

followers

to go into all the world and preach the

gospel to every creature they were

filled with confident hopes

that if they went forth in obedience

unto

and believing in his word

their labor would not be in vain in the

lord

they were not dismayed and reflecting on

the smallness of their means and

abilities and that they hardly knew

their way to the heathen whose salvation

they so ardently longed for

nor by the prospect of enduring

hardships of every kind and even perhaps

the loss of their lives and their

attempt

yet their love to their savior and their

fellow sinners from whom he shed his

blood far outweighed these

considerations they went forth in the

strength of their god and he has wrought

wonders in their behalf i love him

it's an amazing account of a great story

on october 8th 1732 a dutch ship left

the copenhagen harbor bound for the

danish west indies

on board were the first two moravian

missionaries

john leonard dober he was a potter and

david nietzman he was a carpenter both

were skilled speakers and they wrote in

their journals this

they said that they were ready to sell

themselves into slavery to reach the

slaves of the west indies with the

gospel

as the ship sailed away they lifted a

cry

that would one day become the rallying

call for all moravian missionaries

may the lamb that was slain receive the

due reward for his sufferings

the radical devotion the consecration of

these missionaries is astounding i mean

often these moravian missionaries would

even build their own wooden caskets

knowing that they wouldn't be returning

some families would hold memorial

services in the grave and understanding

that they would give their lives for the

sake of the gospel

i think zinzendorf in his journal sums

it up best when he says this

let my name and honor fly away into the

wind

including all my worldly possessions and

temporal gain

i have only one petition to my lord

let me die

while i win souls

for the lamb

in total we figure about 226

missionaries scattered around the world

under this canopy of night and day

prayer each were tent making

missionaries they went to serve

communities first with their trade and

working and serving among the people and

it's estimated that these missionaries

as they made disciples that made

disciples

helped to establish over 5 000

missionary settlements across the globe

the moravian's passion for souls i

believe was surpassed only by their

passion for the lamb of god jesus christ

the moravians had learned that the

secret of loving the souls of men

was found in loving the savior of men

you know by no means was count zinder

zenzendorf's life flawless

but one can't help but be moved by his

consuming passion his preoccupation with

the person and the supremacy of jesus

i think a glimpse of his burning love

for jesus can be caught in this

following letter listen to this

our method of proclaiming salvation is

this

to point out to every heart the loving

lamb

who died for us and although he was the

son of god offered himself for our sins

by the preaching of his blood

and of his love unto death even death of

the cross

never

either in discourse or an argument to

digress even for a quarter of an hour

from the loving land

to name no virtue except in him

and from him and on his account to

preach no commandment except faith in

him no other justification but that he

atoned for us

no other sanctification but the

privilege to sin no more

no other happiness but to be near him to

think of him and to do his pleasure no

other life but in him

listen the source of counselor success

was bound up in his total allegiance to

jesus christ

at the end of his life count zinzendorf

would triumphantly say

i am going to my savior and i'm ready

there's nothing to hinder me now i

cannot say how much i love you all

who would have believed that the prayer

of christ

that they may all be one

could have been so strikingly

fulfilled among us

an amazing account from john wesley the

great evangelist and founder of the

methodist movement

he had visited this happy place and was

so impressed that he commented in his

journal i would gladly have spent my

life here oh

when shall this christianity cover the

earth as water covers the sea

so what would an expression of this

moravian movement look like today

and god's certainly doing a new thing in

a new day and yet i believe there's some

clear biblical values that we can learn

from these moravians

first

the moravians were committed to

strategic missions to see the gospel go

to the unreached peoples of the earth no

matter the cost

second the moravians built a canopy of

united

strategic and sustainable prayer it

endured for 100 plus years of ordinary

believers men and women young and old in

regular committed times of prayer listen

they understood

that god releases his power

in response to the prayers

of his people

third they experienced a powerful

move of the holy spirit it was a spirit

led

love motivated prayer and missions

movement the love of god had been

powerfully poured into their hearts by

the holy spirit and compelled them to

walk together in john 17 unity continue

in day night prayer

and then go to make disciples of all

nations

and yet at the center of these three

values and most importantly what i

believe fueled each of them was the

worthiness of jesus the arabians were

all about the slain lamb receiving his

due reward

i think the verse that most fully

captures the essence of this moravian

lamp stand is revelation 5 verse 12

worthy is the lamb who is slain to

receive power and wealth and wisdom

might and honor and glory and blessing

forevermore amen

let's pray together

father we believe

that the hour has come for your son

the lord jesus to be honored

and treasured as the worthy lamb who is

slain

father we're asking for a lamb's

reformation in the church

that would wake us up again to his cross

to bring your son

the reward he deserves for giving his

life

as a slain lamb

father we ask that you would release a

spirit of prayer

and supplication

upon every family in every local church

that we

would be

a house of prayer

for all nations

father we're asking for a fresh baptism

of love

where your love would be shed abroad in

our hearts by the holy spirit and spill

out an extraordinary love for one

another

father would you raise up and send forth

messengers of the lamb

voices like john the baptist who would

cry out behold

the lamb of god who takes away the sin

of the world

father would you raise up ones like the

apostle paul

who will resolve to know nothing but

jesus christ and him crucified and that

alone

father would you raise up ones like john

the apostle who will look and tell they

see the slain lamb

standing in the center of the throne

and then reveal him here on the earth

lord of the harvest we're asking that

she would thrust forth

ones like the moravians

who would cry out may the lamb who was

slain receive the due reward for his

sufferings

father we're asking that you would exalt

your son

in the nations of the earth

we ask for the spread of his fame

that his name would be made great in

every nation of the earth

father

glorify your son that your son might

glorify you

father of glory would you come and pour

out your spirit

and unveil the beauty of christ jesus

father we ask for a wave of your glory

to come crashing in upon every unreached

people group

father would you give your son the

nations as his inheritance

and we pray these things now

in the name of jesus and for his right

now

amen

and amen