Thoughts on Revival in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - XI - Part V concluded

Required reading
Thoughts on Revival in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Part V by reading Section III.

My summary.

Today we conclude the work with exhortations to everyone on how to promote the work.

Firstly Edwards encourages everyone to engage in prayer and fasting.  He gives advice on:

(i) private prayer;

(ii) congregational prayer;

(iii) united prayer on particular days;

(iv) ministerial meetings for prayer;

(v) fasting in secret.

Then Edwards briefly mentions the importance of celebrating the Lord's Supper frequently.

Next Edwards speaks at length of the importance of moral duties, including deeds of charity and alms giving.  He gives relevant examples from Scripture and church history (e.g. Whitefield).

Finally, Edwards suggests the regular publication of a history of the progress of God's grace for mutual encouragement.

What grabbed me

I liked the encouragement for everyone to pray: 'There is no way that Christians in a private capacity can do so much to promote the work of God, and advance the kingdom of Christ, as by prayer. By this, even women, children, and servants may have a public influence. Let persons in other respects be never so weak, and never so mean, and under never so poor advantages to do much for Christ and the souls of men; yet, if they have much of the spirit of grace and supplication, in this way they may have power with him who is infinite in power, and has the government of the whole world. A poor man in his cottage may have a blessed influence all over the world. God is, if I may so say, at the command of the prayer of faith; and in this respect is, as it were, under the power of his people; as princes, they have power with God, and prevail. Though they may be private persons, their prayers are put up in the name of a Mediator who is a public person, being the Head of the whole church, and the Lord of the universe. If they have a great sense of the importance of eternal things, and a concern for the precious souls of men, they need not regret it that they are not preachers; they may go in their earnestness and agonies of soul, and pour out their souls before one who is able to do all things. Before him they may speak as freely as ministers; they have a great High Priest, through whom they may come boldly at all times, and may vent themselves before a prayer-hearing Father without restraint.'

Through prayer, any Christian can have a great influence!

Next week's reading

Commence the 'Inquiry concerning qualifications for communion' by reading the Prefaces and Part I.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.