Thursday, June 22, 2006
Praying Towns: Is The Seed Still Alive?
The power of life, of faith. of goodness and of evil have all been likened to the power of a seed. A seed, when given the proper conditions, can grow into a plant many times its size and reproduce exponentially. Of course, the pre-requisite is that the seed be well-preserved.
The survivability of seed is an amazing provision of God’s creation. “Wheat seed was found in the pyramids that was dated to around 2500 BC (It was there for the dead Pharaoh to eat if he got hungry.) Scientists realized it was an important find which would enable them to determine what variety of wheat was in use in the ancient world and could be invaluable for engineering new types of wheat. They took the wheat seed and planted it in fertile soil. Then an amazing thing happened to the 4500 year old seed...It grew! Scientists were stunned.” (www.bible.ca/b-pyramid-seed.htm)
Suppose there were other seeds that could be reactivated; seeds of love, morality, wholesomeness and faith. What if modern day Southern New England citizens could reignite powerful moves of God like their forefathers experienced during “The Great Awakening” and other revivals? Is it possible that your town could be changed for the better if its occupants simply watered those ancient seeds with prayer?
Back when the land we now live on was yet to be settled, prayer was loosed and the lives of American Indians began to be changed. “In 1646, Reverend John Eliot first preached to Indians at a site he later called Nonantum ('Place of Rejoicing') in present-day Newton, MA. Making converts to Christianity there, Eliot became encouraged by the possibility of gradual religious, social and political integration of all Indians into colonial society. Eliot continued his efforts to convert Indians, becoming known as the 'Indian Apostle'.” http://www.nativetech.org/Nipmuc/praytown.html
“John Eliot, Apostle to the Indians,(1646-90) had seven praying towns which included Grafton & Marlborough…Later (he established) five praying towns in Nipmuck country. Here are the later five towns with their modern names: Grafton, Lake Manchaug (Oxford), Webster, Fabyan, Woodstock, Thompson…Of Thompson he wrote: ‘Quanatusset is the last of our Praying-towns, whose beginnings have received too much discouragement; but yet the Seed is alive: They are frequently with me; the work is at birth, there doth only want strength to bring forth. The care of this People is committed joyntly to Monatunkanit, and Tuppunkkoowillin, the Teachers of Hassunnimesut, as is above said; and I hope if the Lord continue my life, I shall have a good account to give of that People.’" Now & Then, A Webster Scrap Book 1832-1932, Published by Webster Women’s Club.
Unfortunately, many political developments, including King Philip's war, unraveled the work of John Eliot. Since that time Southern New England has been impacted by wars, governmental changes, and a host of cultural and social upheavals. It has witnessed national, moral and industrial revolutions. But is the seed John Eliot wrote about still alive? Is it still possible for our little towns to reverse societal decay by once again becoming praying towns? More pointedly, are people in your town, your church, your neighborhood praying? Is there enough evidence to convict your town of being a praying town? Do you pray?
I trust more and more of us can answer “Yes!” to the questions above. I believe that the praying towns of yesteryear could arise from obscurity and loose the power of prayer in great measure! I hope other towns will join us. If we will pray we can expect the good seeds to flourish as never before. If we will become praying towns we will see an unprecedented harvest of good gifts; gifts from a God who hears when people humble themselves and pray.
The survivability of seed is an amazing provision of God’s creation. “Wheat seed was found in the pyramids that was dated to around 2500 BC (It was there for the dead Pharaoh to eat if he got hungry.) Scientists realized it was an important find which would enable them to determine what variety of wheat was in use in the ancient world and could be invaluable for engineering new types of wheat. They took the wheat seed and planted it in fertile soil. Then an amazing thing happened to the 4500 year old seed...It grew! Scientists were stunned.” (www.bible.ca/b-pyramid-seed.htm)
Suppose there were other seeds that could be reactivated; seeds of love, morality, wholesomeness and faith. What if modern day Southern New England citizens could reignite powerful moves of God like their forefathers experienced during “The Great Awakening” and other revivals? Is it possible that your town could be changed for the better if its occupants simply watered those ancient seeds with prayer?
Back when the land we now live on was yet to be settled, prayer was loosed and the lives of American Indians began to be changed. “In 1646, Reverend John Eliot first preached to Indians at a site he later called Nonantum ('Place of Rejoicing') in present-day Newton, MA. Making converts to Christianity there, Eliot became encouraged by the possibility of gradual religious, social and political integration of all Indians into colonial society. Eliot continued his efforts to convert Indians, becoming known as the 'Indian Apostle'.” http://www.nativetech.org/Nipmuc/praytown.html
“John Eliot, Apostle to the Indians,(1646-90) had seven praying towns which included Grafton & Marlborough…Later (he established) five praying towns in Nipmuck country. Here are the later five towns with their modern names: Grafton, Lake Manchaug (Oxford), Webster, Fabyan, Woodstock, Thompson…Of Thompson he wrote: ‘Quanatusset is the last of our Praying-towns, whose beginnings have received too much discouragement; but yet the Seed is alive: They are frequently with me; the work is at birth, there doth only want strength to bring forth. The care of this People is committed joyntly to Monatunkanit, and Tuppunkkoowillin, the Teachers of Hassunnimesut, as is above said; and I hope if the Lord continue my life, I shall have a good account to give of that People.’" Now & Then, A Webster Scrap Book 1832-1932, Published by Webster Women’s Club.
Unfortunately, many political developments, including King Philip's war, unraveled the work of John Eliot. Since that time Southern New England has been impacted by wars, governmental changes, and a host of cultural and social upheavals. It has witnessed national, moral and industrial revolutions. But is the seed John Eliot wrote about still alive? Is it still possible for our little towns to reverse societal decay by once again becoming praying towns? More pointedly, are people in your town, your church, your neighborhood praying? Is there enough evidence to convict your town of being a praying town? Do you pray?
I trust more and more of us can answer “Yes!” to the questions above. I believe that the praying towns of yesteryear could arise from obscurity and loose the power of prayer in great measure! I hope other towns will join us. If we will pray we can expect the good seeds to flourish as never before. If we will become praying towns we will see an unprecedented harvest of good gifts; gifts from a God who hears when people humble themselves and pray.
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