The 1780s Prayer Revival in England: A Reawakening of Faith

The Prayer Revival that swept through England, beginning on Christmas Day 1781, reminds us of the transforming power of ardent prayer and the enduring human desire for spiritual awakening. While less widely known than the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 40s, the Second Great Awakening that was a product of this prayer movement, had a profound impact on English society and British churches, laying the groundwork for social reform and the burgeoning missionary movement

Emerging from a period of spiritual decline and social unrest, the revival was characterized by a groundswell of prayer meetings, a renewed emphasis on personal piety, and a growing desire for spiritual awakening across England, Scotland, and Wales¹.

Antecedents of the Revival

The 1780s Prayer Revival did not emerge in a vacuum. It was preceded by several factors that contributed to a growing sense of spiritual hunger and a desire for religious renewal.

The First Great Awakening and the Rise of Evangelicalism

The First Great Awakening, which swept through Britain and its American colonies in the 1730s and 40s, had a lasting impact on religious life in England. It led to the rise of evangelicalism, a trans-denominational movement that emphasized personal conversion, religious experience, and a commitment to social action².

This emphasis on heartfelt religion and social action laid the foundation for the later Prayer Revival³. Key figures like John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield, emerged from this movement, challenging the formalism and apathy that had crept into many churches².

Central to this burgeoning evangelical movement was the Fetter Lane Society, established by the Moravians in London⁴. This society, with its focus on discipleship and accountability, played a crucial role in the spiritual formation of leaders like John Wesley. It provided a space for young men to gather for prayer, Bible study, and mutual encouragement, fostering a deep commitment to personal piety and spiritual growth⁴.

Declining Moral and Spiritual State of England

By the 1780s, many observers noted a decline in the moral and spiritual state of England⁵. Drunkenness, gambling, and social unrest were widespread³. The established Church of England was often seen as out of touch with the needs of the people, and many of its clergy were criticized for their lack of zeal and spiritual depth⁶. This sense of spiritual decline created a fertile ground for a revival movement that would address the social and spiritual ills of the time⁵.

Adding to this sense of decline was the significant social and economic upheaval of the time. England was undergoing a transition from an agricultural to an industrial society, leading to the dislocation of families, the growth of urban poverty, and the erosion of traditional social structures⁷. These changes created a sense of uncertainty and anxiety, further contributing to the longing for spiritual renewal and social stability.

The Role of Prayer and the Moravian Influence

A key factor leading up to the revival was a growing emphasis on prayer. Concerned Christian leaders, influenced by figures like Jonathan Edwards in America and John Erskine in Scotland, called for “concerts of prayer” and urged believers to unite in seeking God for revival¹. Edwards’ treatise, “A Humble Attempt to Promote Explicit Agreement and Visible Union of God’s People in Extraordinary Prayer for the Revival of Religion and the Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom,” was widely circulated in England and Scotland, inspiring many to pray for spiritual awakening¹.

This emphasis on prayer was further strengthened by the influence of the Moravian revival. The Moravians, a Protestant group that had experienced a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1727, emphasized the importance of united and persistent prayer⁸. Their practice of “Hourly Intercession,” where relays of men and women prayed without ceasing, served as a model for many English Christians seeking revival⁸.

The Moravians also demonstrated a deep commitment to Christian unity and service, exemplified by the “Brotherly Covenant” they signed in 1727, dedicating their lives to serving Jesus Christ⁸. This emphasis on unity and service resonated with many English Christians and contributed to the spirit of cooperation and social action that characterized the Prayer Revival.

The Spark of Revival and the Role of John Wesley

The revival began in earnest on Christmas Day, 1781, at St. Just Church in Cornwall¹. A group of intercessors gathered for prayer early in the morning, and the “Spirit of God moved so powerfully on them” that they continued praying throughout the day and into the evening¹. These prayer meetings continued for months, with hundreds of people experiencing conversion¹.

News of the revival in Cornwall quickly reached John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Although already in his eighties, Wesley was energized by the reports and visited the area in 1784. He wrote, “This country is all on fire and the flame is spreading from village to village.” ¹

Wesley’s continued preaching and leadership provided guidance and structure to the burgeoning revival movement⁹. He encouraged the formation of Methodist societies and classes, small groups where individuals could confess their sins, build each other up, and grow in their faith². These societies and classes became vital hubs of spiritual growth and social action, helping to sustain the revival and spread its influence throughout the country.

Other Leaders and the Role of Hymns

In addition to Wesley, other leaders emerged from within various denominations, including Baptists and Anglicans¹. These leaders organized prayer meetings, preached with fervour, and encouraged social action, further fuelling the revival¹⁰.

Hymns and music also played a significant role in the revival. Leaders like Count Zinzendorf, a key figure in the Moravian revival, composed hymns that emphasized personal experience, emotional fervour, and a childlike faith⁷. These hymns, with their simple language and powerful imagery, resonated with people from all walks of life and contributed to the revival’s emotional and spiritual intensity. They provided a powerful expression of faith and a source of unity and inspiration for those caught up in the movement.

Supernatural Happenings

The revival was marked by numerous accounts of supernatural happenings. Participants in prayer meetings reported being “overwhelmed with the divine presence” and experiencing a profound sense of God’s power¹¹. Many people experienced dramatic conversions, turning from lives of sin to embrace faith in Christ¹. Some accounts describe people being “thrown to the ground under the power of the Holy Spirit” during revival meetings¹².

One particularly vivid account describes a Christmas Day prayer meeting in Cornwall where the “Lord of the universe stepped in and took over.” ¹² The participants continued in prayer for six hours, experiencing an intense outpouring of the Holy Spirit¹². This meeting sparked a wave of similar prayer gatherings across the country, with people from all denominations uniting to seek God for revival¹².

Lasting Impact of the Revival

The 1780s Prayer Revival had a significant and lasting impact on English society and religion.

Social Reform

The revival fuelled a wave of social reform in England³. It challenged the prevailing social order and inspired a greater emphasis on individual piety and social responsibility⁵. Leaders like William Wilberforce, William Buxton, John Howard, Elizabeth Fry, and Florence Nightingale were all influenced by the revival’s emphasis on compassion, justice, and service¹.

Reform Movement	Key Figure(s)	Description
Abolition of Slavery	William Wilberforce, William Buxton	Campaign to end the transatlantic slave trade and abolish slavery in the British Empire.
Prison Reform	John Howard, Elizabeth Fry	Efforts to improve conditions in prisons and promote humane treatment of prisoners.
Development of Modern Nursing	Florence Nightingale	Establishment of professional nursing standards and improved healthcare practices.

Growth of the Church and the Missionary Movement

The revival led to significant growth in various denominations, particularly the Methodists, who saw their membership increase dramatically¹. It also revitalized existing churches and inspired the founding of new ones². This growth was not limited to England but extended to Wales and Scotland as well, demonstrating the widespread impact of the revival.

The revival also sparked a renewed interest in missions, with figures like William Carey advocating for the spread of the gospel to other nations¹. This led to the founding of missionary societies and the expansion of Christian outreach across the globe².

Impact on Women

The revival had a significant impact on the lives of women, empowering them and encouraging their participation in religious life². While women were rarely allowed to preach or hold leadership positions, the revival fostered a greater sense of religious enthusiasm and encouraged women to examine their feelings, share their experiences with others, and express their faith through writing and social action².

This increased introspection and engagement in religious life contributed to a growing sense of independence and agency among women.

Conclusion

The 1780s Prayer Revival in England was a powerful movement of spiritual renewal that had a profound and multifaceted impact on English society and religion. It emerged from a period of spiritual decline and social unrest, fuelled by fervent prayer, passionate preaching, and a renewed emphasis on personal piety.

The revival’s legacy can be seen in the social reforms it inspired, the growth of the church it fostered, the missionary movement it ignited, and the empowerment of women it encouraged. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of prayer and the enduring human desire for spiritual awakening.

The revival also played a crucial role in shaping English national identity⁴. By fostering a sense of shared faith and purpose, it arguably helped to avert a revolution similar to the one in France⁴. The revival’s emphasis on social responsibility and moral reform contributed to a greater sense of national unity and stability, laying the groundwork for the social and political reforms of the Victorian era.

Furthermore, the 1780s Prayer Revival significantly shaped the relationship between religion and society in England. It challenged the established church and fostered a greater emphasis on individual piety and social responsibility⁵.

This shift in emphasis contributed to the growth of nonconformist churches and laid the foundation for the development of modern evangelicalism, with its focus on personal conversion, emotional experience, and social action². The revival’s legacy continues to this day, influencing the way Christians understand their faith and engage with the world around them.

Works cited

1. Prayer Revival 1780 – Revival Library, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://revival-library.org/histories/1781-prayer-revival-in-england/
2. First Great Awakening – Wikipedia, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Great_Awakening
3. Evangelical Revival in England – 1701-1800 Church History – Christianity.com, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/evangelical-revival-in-england-11630228.html
4. 1738-1791 The British Great Awakening – BEAUTIFUL FEET, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://romans1015.com/british-great-awakening/
5. Why the British Evangelical Revival Still Matters – Religion & Liberty Online, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://rlo.acton.org/archives/124217-why-the-british-evangelical-revival-still-matters.html
6. Evangelical Revival in England | PDF | John Wesley – Scribd, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/document/423210802/Evangelical-Revival-in-England
7. 18th Century Evangelical Revival – Dale Appleby, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://www.daleappleby.net/index.php/anglican-theology-history-a-worship/75-18th-century-evangelical-revival?showall=1
8. Eighteenth Century Revivals: The Great Awakening and Evangelical Revivals, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://renewaljournal.com/2014/04/14/eighteenth-century-revivals-thegreatawakening-andevangelicalrevivals/
9. en.wikipedia.org, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity_in_Britain#:~:text=John%20Wesley%20(1703%E2%80%931791),and%20especially%20the%20revival%20experience.
10. 18th Century Revivalists – Revival Library, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://revival-library.org/heroes/18th-century-revivalists/
11. A Prayer Meeting that Changed the World – Church History Review, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://lexloiz.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/a-prayer-meeting-that-changed-the-world/
12. 1781 – Cornwall’s Christmas Prayer Revival – BEAUTIFUL FEET, accessed on January 26, 2025, https://romans1015.com/christmas-prayer-revival/

 

This document was drafted by Tony Cauchi and refined in collaboration with AI research. It has been thoroughly edited to ensure accuracy and readability.