To Prayer

Several hundred years ago, a great revival swept through the country of Wales.The son of John Elias (a preacher whom God used in a tremendous way in the 1700's during that revival) once spoke of what he believed to be one of the chief reasons for the unique spiritual power the older preachers demonstrated in those days,"Look at the seraphic Robert Roberts...rolling on the floor of the hay loft, weeping and praying. Why is the poor man in such agony? He is starting on one of his preaching journeys and is anxious lest the Spirit of God be not with him to convert the world and edify the saints. His study is not a poor one, when we remember the times; but the Bible, expositions, and books are not sufficient, in his estimation without the Spirit of God...Observe Mr. Williams, a scholar and a good linguist, and see him on his knees besides the black hedges; it is there he finds the materials of his sermons. Morgan Howells disappears from his family on Saturday night; on Sunday morning he wakes them up early and calls for his horse, he is now ready to go and preach his Master, for he believes that He will go with Him.The great William Roberts, would be in a cloud of gloom and depression, struggling with God, before delivering those sermons that swept over the devil's forces like a mighty overwhelming wind.And Mr. Rees who will ever be remembered with endearment and reverence, whose ministry opened and searched the recesses of my heart many a time, what is he doing in the lonely cellars of Liverpool chapels? moving about, restless, bending his knees, writhing, rising up, walking about, and bending his knees again! He has received a message from God to sinners, and he prays that he may be in the hands of God to deliver it effectively."