Prayer and its answer : illustrated in the first twenty five years of the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting

by Samuel Irenaeus Prime

The Fulton-Street Prayer-Meeting ” is the type and exponent of a new phase of Christian life. Not since the apostolic age has there been so direct and manifest a connection between simple prayer and the display of God's converting grace. The associations of the place have become hallowed, the very atmosphere of it instinct with divine influence. Its full history can never be written. Dr. Prime has gathered into this book many of the wonderful facts connected with this and similar meetings for prayer, and traced the rise and progress of this great religious movement, and recounted very many remarkable answers to prayer, in the conversion of sinners, the reclaiming of drunkards, and the restoring of the backslider. Additional chapters are given in this edition, bringing specially into view the power of prayer among our soldiers during the late war. It is a book of profound interest, which cannot fail to stimulate to prayer and quicken faith. It has already had a wide circulation, having been republished in England, France, and the East.
" No household in America, where the faith of Christ is the ruling principle of life, will be without this thrilling record of His great work. No romance will crowd it out, for no romance can equal it in absorbing interest. Since the days of miracles, no more startling accounts of the answers of God to prayer have been written.”Harper's Weekly.

Genres: Church History, History, Christian, Prayer

66 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 1992

About the author

Samuel Irenæus Prime (1812–1885) was an American clergyman, traveler, and writer.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Will Pareja · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring account of an American revival that isn't as well known (at least to me).
Not to be confused by the didactic work of E.M. Bounds.

However, the title indeed betrays the contents. For, in a non-flashy, journalistic way, the author relates story after story of how one little prayer meeting set off a supernatural, Spiritual, chain reactions of conversions in New York and nationally.

Two small points of critique:
1. Early on and occasionally throughout, the author seems to magnify this revival (exaggerates?) this revival in NYC as eclipsing all other historical revivals.
2. I realize that this was more of a history rather than an analysis or theology of prayer or revival. However, I noticed that there was hardly any mention of Scripture's role in the all the conversions. Maybe that was assumed? Here and there mentions of Scriptures read at the union prayer meetings came out, but not much in terms of how the Word "proclaimed" played a role in those conversions. I don't think or assume that the author had little confidence in the Word or a weak bibliology. Just an observation.

Interesting factoid: I did a little digging on the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Protestant Church of NY, and found out that its recent history included Dr. Norman Vincent Peale as one of her pastors. The church today (by what is seen on the website) gives little evidence of gospel fidelity.

This book got me thinking about how truly supernatural and Spirit-induced revivals can be. It actually helped me make better sense of biblical history, particularly the "revival" of Ninevah in Jonah and it subsequent destruction in Nahum. In other words, revivals are bursts in ecclesial history. They aren't meant to last forever. The Spirit blows where he wills. God is sovereign.

[Christopher Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great encouragement to prayer

I recommend this book to any Christian wishing to be encouraged in the practice of prayer and the power of God who works in and through his people.

[Shane Ryan Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In late 1857, a lunch-hour prayer meeting was started in New York City with only about 6 men in attendance. Within a few months, many businessmen began attending the prayer meeting at noon. Very quickly, scores of New Yorkers of all ages and ranks began holding and attending prayer meetings. Many thousands made personal commitments to Jesus Christ throughout 1858, just a few years before the outbreak of the Civil War. This book is valuable in that it was written and published in 1859, just one year after the revival broke out in New York City and set the hearts of many thousands on fire for Jesus. The author records testimonies, accounts, letters, and diary entries of the men, women and children who had experienced this remarkable revival.

[Doug Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not so much a book on how to pray, but a record of something done in the past that will entice the reader to pray. If you are a pastor who desires conversions in your church and city, you should pray for them, share the gospel, tell your people about it, and read this book for encouragement. If you are a Christian who desires to see conversions in your neighborhood you should pray for them, share the gospel, tell other people about it, and read this book for encouragement that God does answer those kinds of prayers.

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It is God’s memorial that in every generation he heareth prayer.” In this revival and in every other revival, it is only by the grace of God that he restores the power of prayer to resolve, renew, and revive. Oh God be willing to give your Spirit to those who ask believing that prayer is sure to be answered.

[Abel Prudhomme]

Mind, heart and yes, soul, are opened by reading these first hand accounts of an awe inspiring move of God which extended coast to coast across the U.S., out to the middle of the sea and then beyond. This is history at its very best: first hand accounts recording amazing miracles of God. This book could change you forever... if you dare read it.

[Michael Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prayer is vital to the Christian life. This account of the prayer revival of 1858 was stirring. Chapter by chapter, Prime shares stories of answered prayer.

[Ian Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quite astounding record of the work of God through prayer in 1858.