Man is like a breath his days like a fleeting shadow. Psalm 144: 4

This is the final October devotional. This devotional blog will resume on December 1st – December 30th during the season of Advent. You can unsubscribe if you wish or remain as a subscriber for the month of December. The Cambridge House of Prayer will be meeting, on the following days and times, in November and December :

Wednesday 6th November (Joint meeting with YWAM Cambridge - Lynn Green guest speaker) – Round Church 7.30pm -9.30pm

Thursday 28th November (Joint meeting with YWAM Cambridge – Andrew Taylor speaker)- Costa Coffee, Sidney Street. 7.30pm- 9.30pm

Thursday 5 December – 17 Rustat Avenue, CB1 3PF, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Thursday 12 December – 17 Rustat Avenue , CB1 3PF, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Thursday 19 December - 17 Rustat Avenue, CB1 3PF, 7.30pm-9.30pm

• DAY 30 MORNING PSALM 144-146

• DAY 30 EVENING PSALM 147-150

At 7am on Wednesday February 23, 1791, John Wesley now aged 87 years and nearly nine months set out in his two-horse chaise to preach in the country village of Leatherhead, where he preached what turned out to be his last sermon. A few days later his health deteriorated quickly and he had difficult even holding a pen to write his name. So John Wesley who had helped so many overcome the fear of death, lay happily awaiting his departure. He said goodbye and focused calmly on Christ, “ he is all, he is all,’ he murmured and ‘ we have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Christ.’ Once he cried out in a remarkably strong voice, ‘The best of all is, God is with us!’ He died at about 10’oclock on Wednesday March 2nd. Memorial services were held in countless cities and villages throughout Great Britain.

One secular journal, ‘The Gentleman’s magazine' that had scorned and criticized him when he was alive said in its long obituary, ‘Though his taste was classic and his manners elegant, he sacrificed that society in which he was particularly calculated to shine; gave up those preferments which his abilities must have obtained and devoted a long life in practicing and enforcing the plainest duties. Instead of being ’an ornament to literature, ‘he was a blessing to his fellow creatures; instead of ‘the genius of the age ,’he was the servant of God!’

Because of his charitable nature he died poor, leaving as the result of his life's work 135,000 members and 541 itinerant preachers under the name "Methodist". It has been said that "when John Wesley was carried to his grave, he left behind him a good library of books, a well-worn clergyman's gown" and the Methodist Church.

He summarized his vision with these words: ‘The church has nothing to do but save souls; therefore spend and be spent in this work.’

• We began this devotional praying with Psalm 4:3 ‘The Lord has set apart the godly for himself.’ Lord, you set John Wesley apart to be your vessel to see a national awakening unto revival in the eighteenth century. Do it again Lord…We thank you for our godly heritage and all that you did in the past....but we call out to you today. Set your chosen vessels apart for a national awakening today. Do not let the candle go out. Let your church in this land catch the vision to do nothing but save souls, TO SPEND AND BE SPENT for this work. Restore the Gospel to England ONCE AGAIN we pray!

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing.

Pollock, J. The preacher, Kingsway, 257, 260-261

..if I settle on the far side of the sea Psalm 139:9

• DAY 29 MORNING PSALM 139-140

• DAY 29 EVENING PSALM 141-143

In 1769, Wesley and the Methodist conference set apart two lay preachers for the American colonies; their departure involved nothing new, for they were to behave like itinerant preachers in Britain.

Two years later a young itinerant from Midlands, Francis Asbury volunteered to join them and sailed for Philadelphia. Asbury is credited for recruiting and organizing a band of selfless and radical riders of whom the world was not worthy, that would change America’s future forever. This group of rough yet broken men would travel the frontiers of America for decades, taking the Gospel to the most remote places in America. In a time of American history where it was easier to stay in one place and live in the comfort of the few cities that existed, these men refused comfort and were driven by the ancient dream of Eden to see man and God live in intimate fellowship. They rode on. Over half of them died before reaching age 33 and their annual pay, if any, was around 50 dollars.

“No family was too poor, no house too filthy, no town too remote, and no people too ignorant to receive the good news that life could be better.”

They did not do it for the love of money, fame nor an affinity towards human comfort. They were marked by the same determination as Asbury that every home in America would hear and believe the Gospel. When Asbury arrived in America there were a few hundred Methodist followers and a few dozen preachers, but by the time he died there were over 210,000 followers and over 4,000 preachers. America would never be the same because of these wild-eyed revivalists. (These early American circuit riders are the inspiration for a new youth movement of radical evangelists in the USA at present see www.thecircuitrider.com)

Wesley rejoiced in the spread of the gospel in America through the work of Asbury and Coke who followed him. They shared his own vision that if Christians lived holy lives the heathen would be unable to resist the message of Christ. The “God of love” declared Wesley prophetically, “will then prepare his messengers and make a way into the polar regions into the deep recesses of America and into the interior parts of Africa; yea into the heart of China and Japan, with countries adjoining to them. And ‘their sound’ will then ‘go forth into all lands, and their voice to the ends of the earth.’”

• Lord, raise up a new breed of wild-eyed revivalists in our day. We thank you for Francis Asbury and the early Methodist circuit riders and we say ‘Lord, do it again’ unleash another wave of passionate young evangelists with neither love of money or love of comfort but a passionate desire to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Do it again in our day we pray Lord!

REFERENCES

Pollock, J. The preacher, Kingsway, 250-251

www.thecircuitrider.com/about-us/history

Wesley, J. Letter to Asbury , 1788.

You made me bold and stout hearted Psalm 138:3

DAY 28 MORNING PSALM 132 -135

DAY 28 EVENING PSALM 136-138

In Wesley’s latter years the West Country was proof of the change which had been wrought by Methodism. ‘On one visit in his old age he had attended a service in Exeter Cathedral. The Bishop of Exeter, invited him to dinner at the palace where a former Bishop of Exeter had written violent pamphlets against Wesley. As they parted the bishop said “Mr Wesley, I hope I may sit at your feet in the kingdom of heaven.”

On Wesley’s last visit to Cornwall when he was 86, in August, he came again to Falmouth, recalling: “the last time I was here, about forty years ago, I was taken prisoner by an immense mob, gaping and roaring like lions; but how is the tide turned. High and low now lined the street from one end of the town to the other, out of stark love and kindness, gaping and staring as if the king were going by. In the evening I preached on the smooth top of the hill, at a small distance for the sea to the largest congregation I have ever seen in Cornwall, except in or near Redruth… God moved wonderfully on the hearts of the people, who all seemed to know the day of their visitation.”

At Port Isaac the whole town seemed to be present. "How changed since the last time” when the man who had invited him ,dared not ask him to stay lest the mob pull down the house. As Wesley left the county on Friday August 28th, 1789, he commented, “So there is a fair prospect in Cornwall, from Launceston to Land’s End.” ‘

Wesley preached in the open-air for the last time aged 87 beneath an ash tree in the churchyard of Rye in Kent. His feeble voice was barely audible, but his reverend countenance, especially his long white locks, formed a picture never to be forgotten.’

• We pray for the turning of the tide in Britain. We pray that the Gospel would be restored to our land, ONCE AGAIN. Raise up bold and stout-hearted evangelists to preach the Gospel in the highways and byways, today. We pray for another day of visitation from you Lord - a ‘planting of the Lord for the display of your splendour.'Radically transform the morality of nation from the grassroots up and change the spiritual landscape beyond recognition through the powerful proclamation of your word with signs following.

REFERENCES

Pollock, J. Wesley:the Preacher, Kingsway, 255-257

I lift up my eyes to the hills Psalm 121:1

DAY 27 MORNING PSALM 120- 125

DAY 27 EVENING PSALM 126-131

The coal miners of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the far north of England, were illiterate, rough and godless. In May 1742 Wesley set out for the North, and when he arrived he ‘was dismayed by the uncouthness of the Tynesiders: half of them appeared to be drunk; even the children swore.

About seven o’clock in the morning of Sunday May 30, 1742, he walked with John Taylor down Sandgate, then the poorest part of the town, and stood at the pump. They began to sing ‘All people that on earth do dwell” to the “Old hundredth” a tune known to any Englishman who had ever ventured into a church. Three or four people came out to see what was the matter” Wesley called out the text from Isaiah 53:5,’ He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed.” The crowd grew until the street and every side alley was packed; people stood on the town walls or hung our windows of the houses. Observing the people when I had done, to stand gaping and staring upon me, with the most profound astonishment, I told them, ‘If you desire to know who I am, my name is John Wesley. At five in the evening, with God’s help, I design to preach here again,”

At five the hill on which I designed to preach was covered, from the top to the bottom. I never saw so large a number of people together, either at Moorfields, or at Kennington Common. I knew it was not possible for the one half to hear, although my voice was then strong and clear; and I stood so as to have all in view, as they were ranged on the side of a hill. ‘After preaching, the poor people were ready to tread me underfoot, out of pure love and kindness. It was some time before I could possibly get out of the press. I then went back another way than I came; but several were got to our inn before me; by whom I was vehemently opportuned to stay with them, at least a few days or … one day more.” ’

• Lord we look to you, we lift our eyes to you. You are the one from whom our help comes. May the gospel go out to the poor in our nation once again. We pray that the thirsty would come to you and drink. Just as they responded to Wesley, eager to hear and respond to the good news, almost ‘treading him underfoot out of pure love and kindness,’ we pray for todays poor- the oppressed, the neglected, the elderly, the fatherless, the single parents, the lonely and those who face all their trials and challenges without God and without hope. Melt their hearts with your love today we pray.

REFERENCES

Wesley: the Preacher, Pollock, J. 157,158.

Your word is a lamp to my feet Psalm 119:105

DAY 26 MORNING PSALM 119:105- 119:144

DAY 26 EVENING PSALM 119:145- 119:176

Wesley travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles by horse, by carriage and by foot. Although preaching in the open air and travelling by foot was an innovation for his day, and was contested by the religious authorities, the reality was that there were many precedents for pedestrian evangelism, in England.

Skevington -Wood says 'the early emissaries of the cross in England had no alternative but to preach in the open. The indigenous church, planted as it may have been through Roman soldiers, had few buildings. Ninian and Patrick in the fifth century and Colomba in the sixth century preached in the open air. Northumbria was converted through Paulinus and Aidan who preached in the open air. The coming of the friars in the thirteenth century saw a renaissance of outdoor preaching. Travelling preachers were the heralds of the Reformation. They preached wherever they could get a hearing – sometimes in churches, but more often on the village green or by the roadside. The same practice of preaching in the open was carried on by George Fox and the early Quakers. When Wesley started to compass the land he was in good company.

The track which he came to follow in his travels was in the first place triangular. He had London at his centre and Bristol as his second major city, the third point Newcastle served as a kind of northern office, as well as a favourite retreat for Wesley when exhausted by his travels. Wesley was not confined to England. He went into Wales in October 1739 and found ‘most of the inhabitants ripe for the gospel.’ In April 1751 Wesley crossed the Scottish border for the first time.

In all his worldwide journeyings he had only one desire: it was to lead men and women to Christ. He said ‘wherever I see one or a thousand men running into hell, be it in England, Ireland, or France yea, in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, I will stop them if I can; as a minister of Christ, I will beseech them in His name to turn back and be reconciled to God. Were I to do otherwise, were I to let any soul drop into the pit, whom I might have saved from everlasting burnings, I am not satisfied God would accept my plea, "Lord, he was not of my parish" '

• We pray for our nation that it would be reconciled to God. Thank you for the history of your Word being preached in the open air across our country. Let your word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, as we continue to take the gospel across the length and breadth of our land. Give us your heart for the lost that we would have a greater urgency to share our faith, a greater fear of God and a greater desire to carry the flame of the Gospel wherever we go. Do not let the candle go out on our watch, Lord let it burn even more brightly, we pray.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing,107,108,113

….wherever I lodge. Psalm 119:54

• DAY 25 MORNING PSALM 119:33- 119:72

• DAY 25 EVENING PSALM 119:73- 119:104

‘In order to fulfill his mission throughout the land, John Wesley had to resign himself to incessant travel. He became the great itinerant. For the sake of the gospel, he was prepared to lead a gypsy life. We have caught something of the energetic momentum of the man as we have dipped into his Journal. He was in almost perpetual motion. At Oxford he had wondered "how any busy man could be saved…. God taught me better by my own experience."

As late as 1781 he was still on the move. "I must go on; for a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me; and woe is me if I preach not he gospel." He noted in 1777,"I have travelled all roads by day and by night, for these forty years, and never was interrupted yet." Although nearly shipwrecked when sailing to Guernsey, his boat was saved from disaster. Wesley was saved from serious accident throughout fifty years of travelling ministry.

For a season John Nelson travelled with John Wesley. There is an unforgettable picture in John Nelson’s journal of himself and John Wesley sleeping on the floor at St Ives and Wesley using Nelson’s top coat for a pillow and Nelson using Burkitt’s notes on the New Testament for his. One morning at 3am after enduring this hard bed for a fortnight, Wesley turned over, dug Nelson in the ribs and joked, "Brother Nelson, let us be of good cheer… for the skin is off but on one side yet."

Anyone who accompanied Wesley was in for a grueling experience. Duncan Wright discovered that. He joined Wesley for part of 1765 and 1766, but he found he was unable stand the pace. "As the exercise was too much I gave it up," he confessed. There is a graphic account in the Journal of the treacherous quicksands of the Solway Firth. Perhaps that was the last straw so far as Duncan Wright was concerned. Yet at this date Wright was only thirty years of age and Wesley was sixty-three.'

•Lord we pray that you would raise up labourers for today’s harvest. Thank you for the inspiration, and example of our spiritual forefathers. Unleash a new wave of firebrands, of young zealots who have the energy, the perseverance and the tenacity to complete the dispensation of restoring the gospel to England, to whomsover they are sent, wherever you call them, whatever the cost.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 115-117, 122

…for you have set my heart free Psalm 119:32

• DAY 24 MORNING PSALM 116-118

• DAY 24 EVENING PSALM 119:1-32

Both John Wesley and George Whitfeld saw outward signs following the preaching of the Gospel that brought freedom and liberty to many people.

Monday July 6 1739

In the afternoon I was with Mr Whitfield, just come from London with whom I went to Baptist-Mills, where he preached concerning 'the Holy Ghost, which all who believe are to receive.'

Tuesday July 7 1739

I had an opportunity to talk with him of those outward signs which had so often accompanied the inward work of God. I found his objections were chiefly grounded on gross misrepresentations of matter of fact. But the next day he had an opportunity of informing himself better. For no sooner had he begun (in the application of his sermon) to invite all sinners to believe in Christ, than four persons sunk down close to him, almost in the same moment. One of them lay without either of sense or motion. A second trembled exceedingly. The third had strong convulsions all over his body but made no noise unless by groans. The fourth, equally convulsed called upon God with strong cries and tears. From this time, I trust, we shall all suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth Him.

Monday July 30 1739.

Two more were in strong pain, both their souls and bodies being well nigh torn asunder. But though we cried unto God, there was no answer; neither did He as yet deliver them all. One of these had been remarkably zealous against those that cried out and made a noise; being sure that any of them might help if they would. And the same opinion she was still in, till the moment she was struck through, as with a sword, and fell trembling to the ground. She then cried aloud though not articulately, her words being swallowed up. In this pain she continued twelve or fourteen hours, and then her soul was set at liberty. But her master (for she was a servant till that time at a gentleman’s in town) forbade her returning to him, saying, he would have none in his house who had received the Holy Ghost.

• As we yield our hearts to your word, as we follow the path of your commands… set us free, Lord. We turn from our sin, we give you our heavy burdens and we cry out to you for deliverance. Thank you that you give rest to the weary and heavy –laden. We desperately cry out to you Lord for another outpouring of your Holy Spirit, that sets the captives free, that heals the oppressed, that revives the lowly, that feeds the spiritually hungry. Save us and free us from ‘the dread asbestos of others things’ and set our hearts alight again, on fire for you, Lord Jesus.

REFERENCES

Wesley, J. Journal, Vol1, 210,213, 226 ,

You will rule in the midst of your enemies Psalm 110:2

• DAY 23 MORNING PSALM 110-113

• DAY 23 EVENING PSALM 114-115

While John Wesley was travelling around the country preaching the Gospel, so was George Whitfield, Wesley’s friend and fellow labourer.

Every Easter week the London poor gave themselves to fun at Moorfields. Strolling players, bears that were taught to dance using cruelty; clowns and ‘merry-andrews,’ and a whole host of conjurers and troupers would converge on the capital. For weeks beforehand in the spring of 1742 George Whitfield had been summoning his courage to ‘lift up a standard among them in the name of Jesus Christ.’

As he stood up to preach, he felt a tug at his gown and looked down. Elizabeth his wife had her eyes firm upon him. ‘George,’ she called. ‘Play the man for God!’ Strengthened, encouraged, he felt a surge of compassion for those who would hear. He called out across the fairground: ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.’ Whitfield preached for three days over the Easter weekend.

Sometimes he was silenced for a moment when a rotten egg or tomato hit him in the mouth. If the contemporary account is read between the lines a man urinated towards the pulpit. Even Whitfield was shaken at such beastly behavior. The jeering section of the crowd loved it. Whitfield quickly recovered. His voice boomed above the uproar. ‘Now he cried ‘Am I wrong when I say ... that man is half a devil and half a beast?’ At that the jeerers quietened. Whitefield followed up his advantage and said … ‘a half devil, half beast must be born again to become wholly a child of God.’ As the dusk fell at Moorfields this great mass evangelist preached and pleaded and prayed and men and women listened in silence and knew that Another stood there too, and were born again by the Spirit. George Whitfield had won this battle at Moorfields in London at Easter in 1742. He was just twenty seven years and four months.’

• Latimer encouraged Ridley as they went to the stake, ‘Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out.’ Latimer’s words to Ridley were the words Elizabeth used to encourage her husband George Whitfield just under 200 years later. ‘Play the man of God.’ Lord , help not us to shrink back out of fear, but to step up to the task of sharing our faith despite the mockery, the disdain and the resistance. Help us to play the man and woman of God today. Give us your courage and your compassion for the lost. Let the candle of the gospel blaze across our land once again. Let your troops be willing on your day of battle. Rule and reign in the midst of the enemies of the gospel today in our land, we pray. .

REFERENCES

Pollock, J Whitfield: the Evangelist, 203-209,br />

He led them by a straight way Psalm 107:7

• DAY 22 MORNING PSALM 107

• DAY 22 EVENING PSALM 108-109

Throughout June 1739, The Holy Spirit continued to move powerfully as John Wesley preached, as he relates in his Journal:-

Friday June 15 1739.

In the evening I went to a society at Wapping weary in body and faint in spirit….. I begged God to direct and (I)opened the book at Hebrews 10:19, “ Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil that is to say, his flesh, - let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

While I was earnestly inviting all sinners to “enter into the holiest” by this “new and living way,” many of those that heard began to call upon God with strong cries and tears. Some sunk down, and there remained no strength in them; others exceedingly trembled and quaked: Some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every part of their bodies, and that so violently, that often five persons could not hold one of them. I have seen many hysterical and many epileptic fits but none of them were like these in many respects.

I immediately prayed, that God would not suffer those who were weak to be offended. But one woman was offended greatly; being sure they might help it if they would; no-one should persuade her to the contrary; and was got three or four yards when she also dropped down in as violent agony as the rest. Twenty-six of those who had been thus affected (most of whom, during the prayers which were made for them were in a moment filled with peace and joy) promised to call upon me the next day but only eighteen came; by talking closely with whom, I found reason to believe that some of them had gone home to their house justified. The rest seemed to be waiting patiently for it.

Friday June 22 1739.

While I was speaking, one before me dropped down as dead and presently a second and third. Five others sunk down in half an hour, most of whom were in violent agonies. “The pains” as “of hell came about them: the snares of death overtook them.” In their trouble we called upon the Lord and he gave us an answer of peace. One indeed continued an hour in strong pain; and one or more for three days. But the rest were greatly comforted in that hour and went away rejoicing and praising God.

•Direct our paths Lord! You have opened up a new and living way into the holy of holies. We would follow hard after you on that narrow way, that straight way unto salvation. Rescue us from that broad way that leads unto destruction. Pour out your Holy Spirit in power and through the conviction of your Spirit-anointed word …rend the heavens and come down, that we might saved from Hell and saved from a Christless eternity. So help us God!

REFERENCES

Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 172-175, 205-206
br />

Make known among the nations what he has done Psalm 105:1

• DAY 21 MORNING PSALM 105

• DAY 21 EVENING PSALM 106

John Wesley described early in the Methodist revival in a June entry of his Journal in 1739 the reason why he preached the Gospel and the nature of his commission.

I do not think it hard to justify whatever I do. God in Scripture commands me, according to my power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous. Man forbids me to do this in another’s parish; that is, in effect, to do it at all, seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall. Whom then shall I hear, God or man?

“I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it. Great encouragement have I, therefore, to be faithful in fulfilling the work He hath given me to do. His servant I am, and, as such, am employed according to the plain direction of His Word, ‘As I have opportunity, doing good unto all men’; and His providence clearly concurs with his Word; which has disengaged me from all things else, that I might singly attend on this very thing, ‘and go about doing good.’”

Many years later, when approaching seventy Wesley wrote to John Fletcher of Madeley, whom he had thought might succeeed him and who was then forty-four ‘What an amazing work has God wrought in these kingdoms in less than forty years. And it not only increases throughout England, Scotland and Ireland; nay it has spread into New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Carolina.’

As the years passed, Fletchers health failed and he died prior to John Wesley. The work that God had started would progress even further around the nations through others that he would raise up.

• Thank you for calling us to this task of going into ALL THE WORLD to make disciples. We ask you for the NATIONS.They are your inheritance. Help us according to your power, to instruct the ignorant, reform the wicked, confirm the virtuous, to make the glad tidings of salvation known among the NATIONS… to make known what you have done Lord, IN ALL THE WORLD

REFERENCES


Wesley, J. Journal, April 27th - May 1st 1739 , Vol 1, 189, 190

Pollock, J. Wesley:The Preacher, Kingsway, 247.

He satisfies your desires with good things Psalm 103:5

• DAY 20 MORNING PSALM 102-103

• DAY 20 EVENING PSALM 104

A well-known rich gentleman, 'Mr Nash' who lived in the city of Bath was strongly opposed to John Wesley. In June 1739 the two of them met and had a short conversation which Wesley relates in his Journal:-

Tuesday June 5 1739.

There was great expectation at Bath of what a noted man was to do to me there; and I was much entreated not to preach because no one knew what might happen. By this report I also gained a much larger audience, among whom were many of the rich and great. I told them plainly the Scripture had concluded them all under sin — high and low, rich and poor, one with another. Many of them seemed to be a little surprised and were sinking apace into seriousness, when their champion appeared and, coming close to me, asked by what authority I did these things.I replied, “By the authority of Jesus Christ, conveyed to me by the (now) Archbishop of Canterbury, when he laid hands upon me and said, ‘Take thou authority to preach the gospel.’” He said, “This is contrary to Act of Parliament: this is a conventicle.” I answered, “Sir, the conventicles mentioned in that Act (as the preamble shows) are seditious meetings; but this is not such; here is no shadow of sedition; therefore it is not contrary to that Act.” He replied, “I say it is: and beside, your preaching frightens people out of their wits.”“Sir, did you ever hear me preach?” “No.” “How, then, can you judge of what you never heard?” “Sir, by common report.” “Common report is not enough. Give me leave, Sir, to ask, is not your name Nash?” “My name is Nash.” “Sir, I dare not judge of you by common report: I think it not enough to judge by.” Here he paused awhile and, having recovered himself, said, “I desire to know what this people comes here for”: on which one replied, “Sir, leave him to me: let an old woman answer him. You, Mr. Nash, take care of your body; we take care of our souls; and for the food of our souls we come here.” He replied not a word, but walked away.

• Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. You satisfy our desires with good things. We come to you for the food of our souls. We would feast on the abundance of your house and drink of your river of delights.Our food is to do your will and to finish your work. Help us Lord to put shoulder to the plough and not to look back, to cleave to and yield to your purposes....and TO TAKE CARE to preach your word in and out of season and to put it into practice in our lives, methodically, relentlessly and devotedly.

Wesley, J. Journal, June 5th 1739 , Vol 1, 198, 199

He guards the lives of his faithful ones Psalm 97:10

• DAY 19 MORNING PSALM 95-97

• DAY 19 EVENING PSALM 98-101

John Wesley often faced persecution. In 1743, the vicar of Eggington, the curate at Darlaston and the vicar of Walsall spread word among the people that cockfighting, bullbaiting and prizefights were in danger, because of the preaching of the Methodists. As a result Methodists had windows broken and houses, shops and workshops shamelessly looted.

When Wesley returned to this area and was staying in Wednesbury in Birmingham in October 1743 a mob surrounded the house where he was staying. Wesley could hear the cry, ‘Bring out the minister. We’ll have the minister.’ Wesley managed to slip out the back door, but while this mob had calmed down another mob roared out of Walsall. The determined mob led by Honest Munchin, the prizefighter shouted ‘Bring him away strip him.’ ‘You needn’t do that I will give you my clothes’ said Wesley, ‘Crucify him’- Wesley was sure he heard the words. His voice then recovered and he began to pray aloud as if oblivious of anyone but Christ. Suddenly the prizefighter turned to him. ‘Sir I will spend my life for you; follow me and not one soul shall touch a hair of your head.’ Two or three others said likewise and out of respect for their ringleader Honest Munchin, the mob departed, but then it returned and began to bay for his blood yet again. One young man escorting Wesley had his arm broken.

The next day an apologetic humble message came from the curate of Darlaston who had heard of Wesley’s courage and now ‘wished all his parish were Methodists.’ At Nottingham Charles was waiting. ‘ My brother came,’ he wrote ’delivered out of the mouth of the lion. He looked like a soldier of Christ. His clothes were torn to tatters.’ Charles Wesley went immediately to Wednesbury (as they had planned) and the young man with the broken arm and the prize-fighter were received into the Methodist society as probationary members. Honest Munchin became a pillar of the Methodists of Wednesbury and Walsall, until his death aged 85 forty-six years later.

• We pray for the raising up of an army of soldiers of Christ, willing to face opposition for your sake Lord, and to preach the Gospel regardless of the cost. You send us out like lambs among wolves, but you are the good shepherd who leads us in paths of righteousness. Give us that peace that the world cannot give, that boldness and courage to share and live out our faith, meekly and humbly even in the face of arrogant hostility. Help us to live more Christlike lives Lord, and give us a deeper trust in you that you truly do guard the lives of your faithful ones.


REFERENCES

Pollock, J. Wesley: The Preacher, Kingsway, 176-181 br /> br />

For you make me glad by your deeds O,Lord Psalm 92:4

• DAY 18 MORNING PSALM 90-92

• DAY 18 EVENING PSALM 93-94

‘Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley became the recognized song-writer of the Evangelical Revival and his hymns supplied a vehicle by which the converts might express their new-found joy in the Lord. But Charles Wesley was not only a song-writer: he was also a preacher of exceptional power. With the Gospel burning like a fire in his heart he threw himself as enthusiastically and energetically as his brother into the glad work of proclaiming the Gospel of salvation in open air services up and down the land.

Nowhere was the transforming power of the Gospel more strikingly witnessed than in these open-air services. At Kingswood colliery, Bristol, the miners gathered in their thousands, and as they listened to the message of God’s redeeming love, tears of penitence and gratitude made white furrows down their coal-stained faces.

John Wesley described the change which took place in their lives. “Kingswood does not now, as a year ago, resound with cursing and blasphemy. It is no more filled with drunkenness and uncleanness, and the idle diversions that naturally lead thereto. It is no longer full of wars and fightings, of clamour and bitterness, of wrath and envyings: peace and love are there. Great numbers of the people are mild, gentle, and easy to be entreated. They ‘do not cry, neither strive,’ and hardly is their ‘voice heard in the streets,’ or, indeed, in their own wood; unless when they are at their usual evening diversion, singing praise unto God their Saviour.” 'Charles Wesley composed hymns to sing God’s praise and one hymn which he wrote specially for these Kingswood colliers illustrates the transforming experience which was theirs in Christ:



Thou only, Lord, the work hast done,

And bated Thine arm in all our sight; 


Hast made the reprobates Thine own,

And claimed the outcasts as Thy right.'

• You have made us glad by all you have done, powerfully on our behalf Lord, rescuing us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Just as you stirred those Kingswood colliers over 250 years ago, stir us again. As white furrows streamed down coal-stained faces let tears of penitence and gratitude flow again. Transform our streets from places of drunkenness and uncleanness into places of praise and thankfulness to you, ONCE AGAIN. Open up the wells of salvation we pray O Lord.

REFERENCES http://churchsociety.org/issues_new/history/wesleychas/iss_history_wesleychas_Colquhoun-evangelist.asp

The Hymn Book of the Modern Church, 194.

Wesley, J. Journal, November 27, 1739 , Vol 1, 251

The God who saves me. Psalm 88: 1

• DAY 17 MORNING PSALM 86-88

• DAY 17 EVENING PSALM 89

Wesley saw many individuals come to saving faith and many delivered and set free from deception. He tells the story of a weaver who was very skeptical at first, but who was powerfully delivered from the oppression of the enemy.

'Tuesday May 2 1739.

I did not mention ...a weaver who was at Baldwin-Street the night before. He was (I understood) a man of a regular life and conversation, one that constantly attended the public prayers and sacrament, and was zealous for the Church, and against Dissenters of every denomination. Being informed ....that people fell into strange fits at the societies he came to see and judge for himself but he was less satisfied than before insomuch that he went about to his acquaintance one after another, till one in the morning, and laboured above measure to convince them it was a delusion of the devil. We were going home when one met us in the street and informed us that (the weaver) was fallen raving mad. It seems he had sat down to dinner, but had a mind first to end a sermon he had borrowed on ‘Salvation by faith.’ In reading the last page he changed colour fell off his chair, and began screaming terribly and beating himself against the ground. The neighbours were alarmed, and flocked together to the house. Between one and two I came in, and found him on the floor, the room being full of people, whom his wife would have kept without; but he cried aloud, “No; let them all come; let all the world see the just judgment of God.” Two or three men were holding him as well as they could. He immediately fixed his eyes upon me and, stretching out his hand cried “Ay, this is he who I said was a deceiver of the people. But God has overtaken me. I said, it was all a delusion; but this is no delusion.” He then roared out, “O thou devil! Thou cursed devil. Yea thou legion of devils! Thou canst not stay. Christ will cast thee out. I know his work is begun . Tear me to pieces, if thou wilt; but thou canst not hurt me.” He then beat himself against the ground again; his breast having at the same time as in the pangs of death and great drops of sweat trickling down his face. We all betook ourselves to prayer. His pangs ceased and both his body and soul was set at liberty.'

• Isaiah 35:4 says 'Be strong, fear not.. HE WILL COME AND SAVE YOU.' Come and save and deliver me Lord. Rescue me from the oppression of the enemy. Show me where I am bound and set me free. We pray that you would ignite a revival in England that saves us from sin and selfishness and drives out every bit of darkness in our land. Bring strong conviction of sin. Open up your wells of salvation and deliverance... Lord, that the bodies and souls of the oppressed might be set at liberty. Lord hear our cry!

REFERENCES
Wesley, J. Journal, Tuesday May 2nd 1739 , Vol 1, 190, 191

Blessed are those whose strength is in you Psalm 84:5

• DAY 16 MORNING PSALM 79-81

• DAY 16 EVENING PSALM 82-85

Wesley continued to preach and travel around the country at a breath-taking pace, seeing the Holy Spirit bring conviction of sin and salvation wherever he went, and much rejoicing as a result.

Tuesday April 27th 1739.

All Newgate rang with the cries of those whom the word of God cut to the heart. Two of whom were in a moment filled with joy, to the astonishment of those that beheld them.

Sunday April 29 1739

I declared the free grace of God to about 4000 people..... I then went to Clifton, a mile from Bristol….and thence returned to a little plain, near Hannam –Mount, where about 3000 were present. After dinner I went to Clifton again.From Clifton we went to Rose Green where were ..near 7000 and thence to Gloucester Lane Society. After which was our first love-feast in Baldwin Street. O how has God renewed my strength who used ten years ago to be so faint and weary with preaching twice in one day.

‘Tuesday May 1 1739.

Many of those who had been long in darkness, saw the dawn of a great light; and ten persons, I afterwards found, then began to say in faith ‘My Lord and my God.” A Quaker who stood by... and was biting his lips and knitting his brows, when he dropped down as thunderstruck. The agony he was in was even terrible to behold. We besought God not too lay folly to his charge. And he soon lifted up his head, and cried aloud, “Now I know thou art a prophet of the Lord.” ’

Wesley left no doubt as to what was the driving motive behind his unwearying haste. Many years later in 1781, when Wesley was still on the move, he said ‘I must go on; for a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me; and woe is me if I preach not the gospel.’ He had a commission to preach the Gospel and as he preached and as revival swept the land, his testimony was that it was the Lord himself who renewed his strength.’

• Our strength is in YOU, Lord. We pray for YOUR resources and YOUR enabling to restore the Gospel to England. We cannot do it in our strength. YOU are mighty to save and YOU deliver the captives. We look to YOU Lord. Bring revival to our land, a fresh breath of your Holy Spirit ….that renews, restores and refreshes and brings revelation from above…. that the eyes of the blind might be opened, to see YOU Lord Jesus, our Lord and our God!

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 115

Wesley, J. Journal, April 27th - May 1st 1739 , Vol 1, 189, 190
Wesley, J. Works, Vol XIII , A plain account of Kingswood school, 1781, 267

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord Psalm 78:4

• DAY 15 MORNING PSALM 75-77

• DAY 15 EVENING PSALM 78

As the Awakening began to gather momentum in April 1739, many more people responded to Wesley’s preaching with signs following. Wesley relates in his journal entries how some young people were impacted :-

‘Tuesday April 21 1739.

…a young man was suddenly seized with a violent trembling all over and in a few minutes, the sorrows of his heart being enlarged, sunk down to the ground. But we ceased not calling upon God, till he raised him up full of ‘peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.’ On Easter-day it being a thorough rain, I could only preach at Newgate at eight in the morning and two in the afternoon; in a house near Hannah Mount at eleven, and in one near Rose- Green at five. At the society in the evening many were cut to the heart and many comforted.

Tuesday April 23 1739.

….In the evening at Baldwin Street, a young man, after a sharp (though short) agony but both of body and mind, found his soul filled with peace, knowing in whom he had believed.

April 25 1739.

To above 2000 at Baptist mills I explained that glorious scripture (describing the state of every true believe in Christ - everyone who by faith is born of God) Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry ‘Abba, Father.'

April 26 1739.

While I was preaching at Newgate, on these words, ‘He that believeth hath everlasting life,’ I was insensibly led , without any previous design, to declare strongly and explicitly , that God willeth ‘all men to be’ thus ‘saved’ and to pray that ‘if this were not the truth of God, he would not suffer the blind to go out of the way; but if it were, he would bear witness to his word.’ Immediately one and another, and another sunk to the earth: They dropped on every side as thunderstruck. One of them cried aloud. We besought God in her behalf, and he turned her heaviness into joy. A second being in same agony, we called upon God for her also, and he spoke peace into her soul. In the evening I was again pressed in spirit to declare that ‘Christ gave himself a ransom for all.’ And almost before we called upon him to set his seal, he answered. One was so wounded by the word of the Spirit, that you would have imagined she could not live a moment. But immediately his abundant kindness was showed, and she loudly sang of his righteousness.’

• Lord we pray for the youth and the students in our land- the next generation. Let them hear the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. Violently apprehend them with your deep and enduring love. Show them tangible evidence of your abundant kindness. Set them free from bondage, adopt them into your family, the family of God that they might receive a spirit of adoption, crying 'Abba Father.'

REFERENCES

Wesley, J. Journal, April 21-26th 1739 , Vol 1, 187 -189

He will deliver the needy who cry out Psalm 72:12

• DAY 14 MORNING PSALM 71-72

• DAY 14 EVENING PSALM 73-74

Wesley continued to preach to the poor, and God continued to confirm his word with signs following, as Wesley relates in his journal:-

'Tuesday April 17 1739.

At five in the afternoon I was at a little society in the Back Lane. The room in which we were was propped beneath, but the weight of people made the floor give way; so that in the beginning of expounding, the post which propped it fell down with a great noise. But the floor sank no farther; so that, after a little surprise at first, they quietly attended to the things that were spoken. Thence I went to Baldwin Street and expounded, as it came in course, the fourth chapter of the Acts. We then called upon God to confirm his word. Immediately one that stood by (to our no small surprise) cried out loud with the utmost vehemence, even as in the agonies of death. But we continued in prayer till “a new song was put in her mouth, a thanksgiving unto our God.” Soon after, two other persons (well known in this place, as labouring to live in all good conscience towards all men) were seized with strong pain, and constrained to roar for the disquietness of their heart.” But it was not long before they likewise burst forth into praise to God their Saviour. The last who called upon God as out of the belly of hell, was a stranger in Bristol. And in a short space he was overwhelmed with joy and love, knowing that God had healed his backslidings. So many living witnesses hath God that his hand is still “stretched out to heal,” and that “signs and wonders are even now wrought by his holy child Jesus.” ’

‘Wednesday April 18 1739.

In the evening …..a Quaker and a few others were admitted into the society. baptized the day before. But *** was scarcely able either to speak or look up…. The sorrows of death compassed her about the pains of hell got hold upon her. We poured out our complaints before God, and showed him of her trouble. And he soon showed he is a God ‘that heareth prayer’. She felt in herself that being justified freely, she had peace with God, through Jesus Christ. She rejoiced in hope of the glory of God, and the love of God was shed abroad in her heart.’

• Thank you for your promise Lord, that you will deliver the needy who cry out, and that you do hear our prayers. Lord, bring to birth another spiritual awakening in our land. Confirm your word with signs following as you have done before, as we see so clearly in the book of Acts and as you did in England in the Methodist revival of 1739. Deliver the needy who cry out. Let there be a bursting forth of praise to God on their lips. We pray for salvation and deliverance! Open up deep wells of salvation in our land, ONCE AGAIN!

REFERENCES


Wesley, J. Journal, April 17th 18th 1739 , Vol 1, 187

You went out before your people, O God Psalm 68:7

• DAY 13 MORNING PSALM 68

• DAY 13 EVENING PSALM 69-70

Skevington- Wood says ‘It was an unpredictable providence which led John Wesley to become an open- air evangelist. Field preaching was not congenial to him. Some men might have felt themselves to be in their element as they stood beneath the canopy of heaven. Not so Wesley. To him this seemed a strange way indeed. It was certainly not his own choice. He endured it only because God called him to adopt such a means of approach to the people. There is something ironical that such a man as Wesley should expose himself to the four winds like this like this. Nor did he shrink from the uncouth mob which always surrounded him with filth and foul odours and often with heckling and violence. Wesley was a dapper little don. He was finical about his personal appearance. In company he was always as neat as a tailor’s model. He was so very particular that he could not bear the slightest speck of dirt on his clerical attire. He hated noise and disturbance. He was accustomed to the academic calm of Oxford or a country rectory. That he should venture into the highways and byways and face the great unwashed is nothing short of a miracle. Only grace could have turned Wesley into a missioner to the common people. ‘

God went ahead of Wesley and chose him for this task and on the Sunday following his first experience of open –air preaching he tried it another time.’ In his journal, John Wesley writes:-

Sunday, April 8.—At seven in the morning I preached to about a thousand persons at Bristol, and afterward to about fifteen hundred on the top of Hannam Mount in Kingswood. I called to them, in the words of the evangelical prophet, “Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters;.…come, and buy wine and milk without money and without price” [Isa. 55:1]. About five thousand were in the afternoon at Rose Green (on the other side of Kingswood); among whom I stood and cried in the name of the Lord, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” [John 7:38].

• We live in a desperate generation that still thirsts for life. By grace you led Wesley to preach in the highways and byways. You turned him into a missioner to the masses. Show us your strength Lord, as you have done before. GO BEFORE US and choose men and women to be your vessels ONCE AGAIN in our day to preach your Gospel to the lost in our nation, that many in their thousands would come to the waters and come and buy wine and milk without money and without price.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 94

Wesley, J. Journal, April 8th 1739 , Vol 1, 186

You brought us to a place of abundance Psalm 65:12

• DAY 12 MORNING PSALM 62-64

• DAY 12 EVENING PSALM 65-67

George Whitfield, having recently returned from America, had hoped that the churches might be open to him in Bristol, but he found the authorities stood in his way. Impatient with delay, the spiritual needs of the colliers pulled at his heart strings. One Saturday afternoon on 17 February 1739 the evangelist walked out to the village. He climbed a hill and spoke to a couple of hundred colliers. “Blessed be God that I have now broken the ice! He wrote afterwards.” By the month of March the numbers had risen to as many as 20, 000 ‘The fire is kindled in the country’, he cried “and I know all the devils in hell shall not be able to quench it.” Wesley wrote in his Journal how he was invited by Whitfield to join him preaching in Bristol:-

Saturday March 10 During my stay [in London] ….I had no thought of leaving London, when I received, after several others, a letter from Mr. Whitefield and another from Mr. Seward entreating me, in the most pressing manner, to come to Bristol without delay. This I was not at all forward to do… we at length all agreed to decide it by lot. And by this it was determined I should go. On arriving in Bristol he writes:

Thursday, 29 March. In the evening I reached Bristol and met Mr. Whitefield there. I could scarcely reconcile myself at first to this strange way of preaching in the fields, of which he set me an example on Sunday; I had been all my life (till very lately) so tenacious of every point relating to decency and order that I should have thought the saving of souls almost a sin if it had not been done in a church.

Sunday,1 April. In the evening (Mr. Whitefield being gone) I began expounding our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount (one pretty remarkable precedent of field-preaching, though I suppose there were churches at that time also), to a little society which was accustomed to meet once or twice a week in Nicholas Street.

Monday, 2 April At four in the afternoon, I submitted to be more vile and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation, speaking from a little eminence in a ground adjoining to the city, to about three thousand people. The Scripture on which I spoke was this (is it possible anyone should be ignorant that it is fulfilled in every true minister of Christ?): “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” [see Isa. 61:1, 2; Luke 4:18, 19].

• Wesley stepped out of HIS comfort zone to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation and 3000 gathered to hear Him. Bring US to that place of abundance, Lord. Open up a spacious place for us to preach the Gospel here in England today. Help us to yield every bit of fear and reticence and to step out of our comfort zones to proclaim the Gospel in our day however strange and embarrassing it may feel at first. Kindle the fire of your Gospel in us, and use us, even us, we pray.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing,9

George Whitfield's Journals ed Iain Murray 216, 17 Feb 1739

Wesley, J. Journal, Vol 1, 176,185

You have delivered me from death Psalm 56:13

• DAY 11 MORNING PSALM 56-58

• DAY 11 EVENING PSALM 59-61

Just three weeks after that significant time of outpouring of the Holy Spirit at 3am on January 1st at Fetter Lane, John Wesley writes on 21 January 1739:

“We were surprised in the evening while I was expounding in the Minories. A well-dressed middle-aged woman suddenly cried out as in the agonies of death. She continued so to do, for some time with all the signs of the sharpest anguish of spirit. When she was a little recovered I desired her to call upon me the next day. She then told me that about three years before she was under strong convictions of sin and in such terrible mind that she had no comfort in anything nor any rest day or night. That she sent for the minister of her parish and told him the distress she was in: Upon which he told her husband she was stark mad, and advised him to send for a Physician immediately. A Physician was sent for her accordingly, who ordered her to be bloodied blistered and so on. But this did not heal her wounded spirit. So that she continued much as she was before. Till the last night, He whose word she was at first found, to be “sharper than any two edged sword” gave her a faint hope, that He would undertake her cause and heal the soul which had been against him.”

….and just over 10 days after that, Wesley writes on Friday March 2 1739:

“One of the most surprising instances of his power which I ever remember to have seen was on the Tuesday following; when I visited one who was above measure enraged at this new way and zealous in opposing it. Finding arguments to be of no other effect than to inflame her more and more. I broke off the dispute, and desired we might join in prayer, which she so far consented to as to kneel down. In a few minutes she fell into an extreme agony both of body and soul; and soon after cried out with the utmost earnestness, “Now I know I am forgiven for Christ’s sake.’ Many other words she uttered to the same effect, witnessing a hope full of immortality. And from that hour, God hath set her face as a flint to declare the faith which before she persecuted.”

John Wesley starts to record in his journal how the Holy Spirit began to confirm his preaching with signs following, powerfully convicting his listeners when he preached. Wesley dramatically describes how listeners were born again by the spirt of God . Individuals went through a period of crying and deep travail, ‘as in the agonies of death’ and finally came to a place of rest with assurance of forgiveness of sin.

• Lord you suddenly poured out our spirit at Pentecost. Suddenly come again with the convicting power of your Holy Spirit that is sharper than a two-edged sword. Just as a woman travails as in the agonies of death and brings to birth, bring to birth in us a new deep move of your spirit. Liberate our nation from its bondage to death and decay. DELIVER US…. and bring us into that glorious liberation of the children of God with joy and full assurance of the forgiveness of sin.

REFERENCES

Wesley, J. Journal, 172-175

Gather to me my consecrated ones Psalm 50:5

• DAY 10 MORNING PSALM 50-52

• DAY 10 EVENING PSALM 53-55

In December 1738 John Wesley heard that George Whitfield had returned from America. These two friends who had both been part of the Holy Club in Oxford were reunited on December 12. A spiritual revival had already begun in England through Whitfield, but he was Wesley’s junior and Whitfield remained a little in awe of the Oxford don. The two men rejoiced that in London there seemed (as Whitfield said) ‘to be a great pouring out of the Spirit, and many who were awakened by my preaching a year ago are now grown strong men in Christ, by the ministrations of my dear friends and fellow-labourers John and Charles Wesley.’ George Whitfield and John Wesley ‘spent many hours together, praying and singing and discussing in an upper room at the home of Mrs West and her husband Joseph, a weaver of Spitalfields, or in Whitfield’s lodgings.’ On the last day of the year, Sunday December 31st Wesley spoke to a large congregation at Whitechapel and George Whitfield despite a heavy cold preached at Spitalfields.

Wesley describes what happened when both he and Charles Wesley and George Whitfield gathered together on Monday 1 January 1739. “Mr Hall, Kinchin, Ingham, Whitfield Hutchins, and my brother Charles were present at our love-feast in Fetter-Lane with about 60 of our brethren. About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of his Majesty we broke out with one voice, “We praise thee; O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.”

If 24 May 1738 was the day at Aldersgate when Wesley was born again by the spirit of God, then 1 January 1739 certainly seemed to be something very similar to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This seems to have been a time of separation unto the Lord for those God was just about to use in the Methodist awakening that was about to break out across England and North America. John Wesley and George Whitfield had still not ventured to preach outdoors. The Lord was gathering his consecrated ones and he poured out his spirit on them in power. As the brethren dwelt in unity the Lord commanded a powerful blessing.

• Lord, gather together your consecrated ones, for another outpouring of your spirit. We long to see this country turn back to you. Pour out your spirit again as you did at Fetter Lane. We pray for the servants you are preparing. Send your fire down on those altars, Lord. Ignite them with a fresh baptism in your Holy Spirit. Fan the flames of your Gospel. By your grace let that candle never go out, let it burn brightly up and down our land ONCE AGAIN !

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing,

Pollock, J. The preacher, Kingsway, 108-109

Wesley, J. Journal , Vol 1, 170.

You have made us a reproach to our neighbours Psalm 44:13

• DAY 9 MORNING PSALM 44-46

• DAY 9 EVENING PSALM 47-49

On the Sunday following Aldersgate, John Wesley was 'roughly attacked in a large company as an enthusiast, a seducer and a setter-forth of new doctrines.' Mrs Hutton was as much offended as the rest, and she said , 'if you were not a Christian ever since I knew you, you were a great hypocrite for you made us all believe you were one.' Skevington-Wood says that Wesley’s ministry had been impeccably sane but lamentably ineffectual prior to his embracing this doctrine of salvation. Wesley was certainly not deterred by the attitude of his friends. Dr Plumb says that Wesley’s conversion was 'followed ….by a burning determination to bring to others what he himself had felt.' It was the warmed heart that made Wesley an evangelist. The fire could only spread as first of all it was kindled. The flame was lit in Aldersgate Street. Then Dr Bett said ‘There came to him “a spiritual energy, an evangelical zeal, an unction of the holy one that he had never before possessed.'

In all his earlier disciplined life of holiness and the good works to which he set his hand writes Edwards, ‘his primary concern was on what he could do for God. But after that Aldersgate Street heartwarming he asked only what God could do for him and through him. Thus at a stroke the old sense of strain and effort had gone. There was no longer the anxious probing of heart and conscience begetting ‘the spirit of heaviness.’ All was of grace through faith, and now he found he was always a conqueror.’ it was out of this experience that the ecclesiastical of Georgia could later become the evangelist of the open road.’

Increasingly Wesley was excluded from church after church because he preached evangelical doctrines. Wesley had already experienced this exclusion even before Aldersgate. He had begun to preach justification earlier in the year. Justification by faith was the doctrine that caused such offence. On the fifth of February 1738, at St John the Evangelist, Westminster, he preached on those strong words ‘If any man be in Christ he is a new creature.’ ‘I was afterwards informed, many of the best in the parish were so offended that I was not to preach there any more.’ Nor did he. On 26th February he preached three times at St Lawrence Jewry , St Catherine Cree, St John Wapping. ‘I believe it pleased God to bless the first sermon most he wrote ‘because it gave most offence.’ Then after Aldersgate yet more churches refused Wesley to preach in their pulpits. Again and again he was excluded.

• Lord, we pray for the raising up of another wave of evangelists with the spiritual energy and the evangelical zeal and the unction of the Holy Spirit, that was on John Wesley. Although the preaching of the Gospel be a ‘sign spoken against’ and ‘a reproach to our neighbours’ give us the courage and fiery determination to keep going. Set a fire deep down in our soul. We want more of you Lord, more passion to preach the Good News of grace to a lost and dying world.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 73 -74

Benham, D. Memoirs of James Hutton, 34

Edwards, M. A history of the Methodist church in Great Britain, Vol1, 51

Wesley, J. Vol 1, 440

He..gave me a firm place to stand Psalm 40:2

• DAY 8 MORNING PSALM 38-40

• DAY 8 EVENING PSALM 41- 43

The change in John Wesley’s preaching after his conversion in 1738 was very clear. In ‘The principles of a Methodist father explained ‘(1746) Wesley supplied a summary of his preaching,

'1.From the year 1725 to 1729 I preached but saw no fruit for my labour. Indeed it could not be that I should; for I neither laid the foundation of repentance nor of believing the gospel; taking it for granted, that all to whom I preached were believers, and that many of them them ‘needed no repentance’.

2.From the year 1729 to 1734 laying a deeper foundation of repentance I saw a little fruit…but it was only a little …

3. From 1734 to 1738, speaking more faith in Christ I saw more fruit of my preaching and visiting from house-to-house, than ever I had done before; though I know not if any of those who were outwardly reformed were inwardly and thoroughly converted to God

4.From 1738 to this time speaking continually of Jesus Christ, laying Him only for the foundation of the whole building, making Him all in all, the first and the last; preaching only on this plan, ’the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye and believe the gospel; the ‘word of God ran’ as fire among the stubble; it was glorified more and more; multitudes crying out “what must we do to be saved?” and afterwards witnessing “By Grace are we saved through faith.”’

Wesley had been encouraged before his conversion by the Moravian Peter Bohler to preach faith before he had it in order that he would then preach faith because he had it. Bohler’s counsel had produced its desired effect. Wesley’s sense of destiny was strengthened and his urge to communicate was intensified by his experience at Aldersgate. Straightaway Wesley wanted to tell the society meeting that his heart had been strangely warmed. He ‘testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart.’

• We thank you for the Godly foundations that have been laid in our land by our spiritual forefathers. We pray that the cutting edge of the Gospel… the challenge to repent and believe… would be restored again and the word of God would run again as fire among the stubble. Today newspapers reported that the Magistrates' Association will discuss changes to the act of swearing on the bible in courts as ‘no-one takes seriously’ the bible oath. When the foundations are being destroyed in our land Lord… WE THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US A FIRM PLACE TO STAND IN PRAYER….and we stand in the gap for our nation and call out to you on behalf of this land to restore the honour of your name … restore the authority of your word in our land, we pray.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 71-73

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2448011/Scrap-Bible-oath-takes-seriously-Magistrates-Association-discuss-changes-act-swearing-tell-truth-court.html#ixzz2h4hZSToo

You give them drink from your river of delights Psalm 36:8

• DAY 7 MORNING PSALM 35-36

• DAY 7 EVENING PSALM 37

On the evening of 24th May 1738, John Wesley wrote. ‘I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.’ The Reformation truth that by grace we are saved through faith had profoundly impacted John Wesley’s heart. Rupert Davies thinks it may be properly called Wesley’s evangelical conversion, and sees in it a complete turning-point in his life, experientially, psychologically and theologically. Schmidt devotes a chapter of almost one hundred pages to what he unambiguously entitles “the conversion”, in which “theory had become fact, expectation had become fulfillment, desire had become possession.” Dean Carpenter considers it “one of the three most momentous conversions in Christian history,” along with those of Paul and Augustine.”

Before Wesley could preach the Good News of the Gospel to England he needed to receive it himself, and this had now happened. He preached a gospel of grace.’Scores of entries in his journal are simply a variation on that theme.’ I offered the grace of God,' ‘I offered the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,' ‘I proclaimed the name of the Lord,' ‘I proclaimed Christ crucified.’ 'I proclaimed the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.'’ I proclaimed free salvation,' ‘I declared the free grace of God,' ‘ I exhorted the wicked to forsake his way,’ 'I began to call sinners to repentance,' 'I invited all guilty helpless sinners.’

Wesley’s preaching to the poor in England was a river of grace. Wesley had felt the grace of God himself and later it was his desire that his audience would not just hear it, but feel it too. “it was his burning preoccupation’, says Skevington –Wood, ‘I am amazed at this people,' Wesley confessed after preaching in Edinburgh, (many years later) , 'use the most cutting words, and apply them in the most pointed manner, still they hear, but feel no more than the seats they sit on.’

• ‘Come to me all who are thirsty’ says Isaiah. Lord we pray for a new spiritual thirst and a new spiritual hunger in our land. Have mercy on the lost, those who are completely unchurched. Pour out a river of grace on our land. Give them drink from your river of delights, Lord. Just as John Wesley felt the depths of YOUR love in the depths of HIS heart and went on to preach a gospel of grace to the minds and the hearts of a poor and needy nation, do it again Lord.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 150

Davies, R . E. Methodism, 57-60

Schmidt, Vol 1, John Wesley: A theological Biography, 263

Carpenter, Eighteenth century Church and People, 197

Wesley, J. Journal 174 4th April, 1739; vol III p429, 15th September, 1749;p444, 24th October 1749; vol IV p202, 17th April 1757, vol III p281, 24th February, 1747, vol 11, p185, 29th April 1739, vol IV, p56, 28th March, 1753, vol III, p334, 21st February, 1748, p88 30th September, 1783.

You lifted me out of the depths Psalm 30:1

• DAY 6 MORNING PSALM 29-31

• DAY 6 EVENING PSALM 32-34

We come now to the climax both of Wesley’s quest for spiritual reality, and of his preparation at God’s hands for his supreme work as an evangelist. 1738 was the decisive year of his life, and 24th May the day of his conversion. Everything had been leading up to this Aldersgate Street experience as the crisis and turning –point of his career. It was what happened on the 24th May, 1738 which made Wesley an evangelist. It released him for his true vocation. Wesley came into a place of saving faith. In his Journal entry for Wednesday 24 May 1738, he says 'In the afternoon I was asked to go to St Paul’s. The anthem was•De profundis based on Psalm 130 : ( which reads)

1. Out of the depths, I cry to you Lord;

2. O Lord hear my voice, Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

3. If you O Lord kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand?

4. But with you there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared.

5. I wait for the Lord my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

6. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

8. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins .

John Wesley was deeply touched by the music and by the words – a seed was planted . Later that day he met with a group of friends who were reading from the book of Romans While meeting with these friends he heard Luther’s ‘Preface to Romans’ which reads….‘God judges what is in the depths of the heart. Therefore his law also makes demands on the depths of the heart and doesn't let the heart rest content in works; rather it punishes as hypocrisy and lies all works done apart from the depths of the heart.’ Wesley suddenly saw that despite having been to church, despite having been a missionary – he saw for the very first time the extent of his sin and the extent to which God by grace and by grace alone saves us 'out of the depths.' Wesley famously says in his Journal. 'About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.'

• Lord you were attentive to John Wesley’s cry for mercy, you heard his cry, you saved him out of the depths, you revealed to him his inability to save himself and the full extent of your grace and through him you sparked a fire of revival that blazed throughout our land. I cry to you from the depths of my heart… save me and save my nation. Be attentive to my cry for mercy. I wait for you Lord. I put my hope in you Lord, for with you there is unfailing love…. with you there is full redemption. Lord hear my cry!

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 59

Wesley, J. Journal, 103

Luther, M. Preface to Romans http://www.ccel.org/l/luther/romans/pref_romans.html

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe Psalm 27:5

• DAY 5 MORNING PSALM 24-26

• DAY 5 EVENING PSALM 27-28

Wesley made no secret of the fact that the main purpose of his mission to Georgia in America was to advance his own spiritual life. 'My chief motive , to which all the rest are subordinate, ' he said ‘is the hope of saving my own soul.'.. ' I hope to learn the true sense of the Gospel of Christ by preaching it to the heathen… They have no comments to construe away the text. ' They are as little children, humble, willing to learn, and eager to do the will of God; and consequently they shall know of every doctrine I preach whether it be of God. By these therefore I hope to learn the purity of the faith which was once delivered to the saints.' Wesley was headed for disillusionment and he soon experienced it.

Wesley did not formally resign from his post in Georgia. He fled from a situation which largely through his own clumsiness, had got completely out of control. He was actually faced with legal proceedings, because he had repelled Sophy Williamson from Holy Communion. The matter was not helped by the fact that he had been involved with her in an unhappy love affair before her marriage. The whole atmosphere in Georgia was now extremely uncongenial , and eventually Wesley left in disgust and indignation. The official list of early settlers recorded his ignominious departure with the short entry 'run away'. .. When Wesley set foot back in England he had reached a critical point in his life and ministry. Up to now, his entire spiritual journey had been simply a refined way of trusting in his own works. He now saw at last the futility of this course. Yet where could he turn? He did not know. But God had it all in hand.

Wesley realized that he had come to the end of chapter. That was the positive contribution of the Georgia experience. He realized that his ecclesiastical rigorism had led him to a dead end. It had also brought him into contact with Moravians , with their emphasis on justification by faith and the need for personal conversion. It forced him to admit that his own attempt to earn salvation had gained him nothing but near despair.

• Lord we pray for those in our country who are trapped in sin, those in our country who are living behind closed doors, living lives of quiet desperation, who do not know that there is a free gift of salvation that does not need to be earned, that has been paid for at a price. You are our deliverer, who rescues us from all our troubles who saves us from all despair. Rescue us and save us. We pray for the end of one chapter and the beginning of the new. Turn the page Lord …and do a new thing in our land!

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 56-57

I will fear no evil Psalm 23:4

• DAY 4 MORNING PSALM 19-21

• DAY 4 EVENING PSALM 22-23

After training as an Anglican clergyman and obtaining a Fellowship at Oxford, John Wesley set out on a mission, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Georgia in North America, to convert the native American Indians. ‘On the evening of Saturday, January 17, 1736, John and Charles Wesley were sitting with Colonel Oglethorpe and others in the state cabin a ship, called ‘The Simonds’ far out in the Atlantic. The sea had been rough, and the clouds had been thickening all day. Now the pitching of the ship became more alarming every minute. Suddenly a huge wave ‘burst into the cabin….with a noise and shock almost like that of a cannon.” A bureau had sheltered Wesley, but he was shocked to discover himself “afraid to die”. At midnight he added a note to his diary: “Stormy still, and afraid!” The Wesleys and their fellow passengers had been three months on board already, for ‘The Simonds’, held off the Isle of Wight by contrary winds, had only cleared the English Channel in the second week of December. Wesley as chaplain, had been much impressed by a group of 26 German emigrants on board. They were members of the Church of the United Brethren, colloquially known as the Moravian church… but had been revived by young Count Zinzendorf.

The Germans were always cheerful. They undertook servile tasks which English emigrants were too proud or lazy to consider, and when crewmen or passengers abused them, they turned the other cheek. At their services they sang hymns of great beauty. The Church of England’s metrical psalms sounded stilted in contrast. The Wesleys.. had pledged themselves to continue their introspective diaries and the rigorous Oxford Methodist system of prayers, readings, fasts and good works. The Moravians were not impressed, for they detected that Wesley’s tight routine was chiefly intended to acquire merit. They offered him on contrast, the great Reformation doctrine of justification by faith. They endeavoured to show him ‘a more excellent way.’ But he says that he understood it not at first. ‘I was too learned and too wise. So that it seemed foolishness to me. And I continued preaching and trusting in that righteousness whereby no flesh can be justified. During the days of the storm, Wesley tried to keep to his rigorous program but could not throw off his fear as the ship rocked and jarred, ‘with the utmost violence.’ The gale died down but another struck a few days later. Again a great wave knocked him over. He found he was unhurt yet ‘could but say to himself, ‘ How is it that thou hast no faith? Being still unwilling to die.’

• Thank you that through the cross and your resurrection from the dead we can be born again by the Spirit.. You did NOT give us a spirit that makes us a SLAVE AGAIN TO FEAR but a spirit of SONSHIP. Thank you Lord that even though we walk through the shadow of death we need fear no evil. Open our eyes, wake us up afresh to this truth, that he who believes in you, will not perish but have eternal life. We pray for a fresh revelation of this truth that ALL can be born again by the spirit of God to impact our land. Awaken our nation to new life in Christ ONCE AGAIN.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 53-54

Pollock, J. Wesley, The Preacher, Kingsway Publishing, 67-69

The foundations of the earth laid bare… Psalm 18:15

• DAY 3 MORNING PSALM 15-17

• DAY 3 EVENING PSALM 18

Before the Methodist revival began in 1738, England in the first half of the eighteenth century was in deep trouble. It was ‘ in a period of moral disorder.The prime minister for the twenty years 1722-1742 Sir Robert Walpole, lived in undisguised adultery with his mistress Maria Skellett, whom he had installed at the Old Lodge at Richmond Park. The amusements of the day were lewd and indecent and the nation found itself enmeshed in the twin snares of drink and gambling. The passion for gin-drinking began to affect the masses of the population around 1724 and 'spread with the rapidity and the violence of an epidemic' until it was ‘irrevocably implanted in the nation. Meanwhile the statistics of violent crime soared alarmingly, and hangings became so frequent that Dr Johnson ironically expressed his fear that the navy might run short of ropes.’

The low moral standards resulted from an indifference to the claims of the Christian faith. Thomas Secker, the Bishop of Oxford, said ‘an open and professed disregard of religion is become, through a variety of unhappy causes, the distinguishing character of the age.’ Goldsmith said that sermons ‘from the pulpit are generally dry, methodical and unaffecting; delivered with the most insipid calmness, so that should the peaceful preacher lift his head over the cushion, he might discover his audience, instead of being awakened to remorse, actually sleeping over his mechanical and labored composition.’

Today we too are in a period of moral disorder. Every day in Britain at least 507 babies are aborted, 190 women are raped, there are 322 divorces, and 85 teenage pregnancies. Drug addiction, and alocoholism are rampant and pornography is a multibillion £ industry which some have described as a plague among our young people. As a nation we have drifted a very long way from our strong Christian heritage. In yesterday’s newspaper 2nd October it was reported that the texts that once every school pupil knew by heart such as the Lord’s prayer and 10 commandments are so unfamiliar that the Church of England is introducing a course to teach the basic tenets of Christianity, ‘The pilgrim course’. Britain needs waking up again.

•Lord as a nation we have abandoned our Christian heritage . Wake us up! You moved powerfully in the 18th century through Wesley attacking those same evils of license and moral decay, through the preaching of repentance and conversion. Breathe on the foundations of our nation again Lord. Lay them bare. Expose the valleys of the sea, Lord. Rebuke the evils of our day. Awake the church out of its lethargy. Send another awakening to our nation Lord. Breathe on us again we pray!

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 9-14

Department of Health abortion statistics, 2012

www.gov.uk/government

www.ons.gov.uk

www.pilgrimcourse.org/the-course

Lift me up from the gates of death Psalm 9:13

• DAY 2 MORNING PSALM 9-11

• DAY 2 EVENING PSALM 12-14

‘The name of Henry Perlee Parker is forgotten, but a painting of his is familiar to many who have had no interest in art. He depicted on canvas the scene at Epworth Rectory on 9th February 1709 when John Wesley was a boy and was rescued from a raging fire. Reproductions of that original by Parker are scattered all over the land, in innumerable vestries and halls. It was a very dramatic event - the old building with its timbers well alight, the scorched escape of the rector’s considerable family, the face of John peering through the curtains, the resourceful villager who ran to the window and encouraged another to climb on his shoulders to reach John, seconds before the roof crashed in and Samuel Wesley then inviting all to pray - ‘Come neighbours. Let us give thanks to God. He has given me all my eight children. Let the house go, I am rich enough.”

Wesley was not yet six years old when this happened, and it is not surprising that at such an impressionable age it stamped itself on his memory. It became a sign of God’s hand upon him. Increasingly he realized that he had been delivered for a purpose. He referred to himself in the words of scripture as “a brand plucked out of the fire.” Zechariah 3:2. Each succeeding year he observed the anniversary of that remarkable night. He confessed that it was “the strongest impression I had till I was 23 or 24 years old.” After his conversion, Wesley recognized himself as a brand plucked from the burning in a spiritual sense also. He interpreted the rescue at Epworth as having predicted his salvation in preparing him for the mission God gave him. When he sat for his portrait, later in his life, the background was a house in flames, with the words beneath “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire.” ’

• Lord, you lifted up John Wesley from the gates of death, as a brand plucked from the fire. You had mercy on him, and you had mercy on our nation. Lord have mercy on us today. You are our God… you came to seek and save the lost. Come and seek and save us today, Jesus. Without you sovereignly intervening we are destined for destruction. Lord, have mercy on us and our nation, and lift us up from the gates of death today.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing,29