Community in Crisis at Herrnhut
In the early 18th century, Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a nobleman from Dresden, Germany, devoted his life to serving Jesus. Inspired by a painting of Christ's suffering, he left a promising government career to focus on spiritual pursuits. His estate in Berthelsdorf became a refuge for Moravian refugees, descendants of John Hus, who were seeking a place to worship freely. By 1727, however, the community was mired in conflict and division.
Covenant for Unity and Love
Zinzendorf, deeply moved by the teachings of Jesus, began to visit the homes of the settlers, urging them to embrace unity and love, inspired by the prayer of Jesus for His followers to be one. On May 12, 1727, the community committed themselves to this vision by signing a covenant to love each other and seek God together.
The Moravian Revival Begins
On August 13, 1727, during a communion service, something extraordinary happened. The Holy Spirit descended upon the congregation, filling them with a profound sense of God's presence. Confession and reconciliation flowed among the people, and a renewed hunger for the Word of God emerged. Zinzendorf described the event, saying, "The Saviour permitted to come upon us a Spirit of whom we had hitherto not had any experience or knowledge... Now the Holy Spirit Himself took full control of everything and everybody."
100 Year Prayer Watch Established
This powerful encounter with God led to the establishment of a continuous prayer watch on August 27, 1727. The community dedicated themselves to praying in shifts, ensuring that prayer was ongoing day and night—a practice that continued unbroken for over 100 years. This prayerful dedication ignited a missionary zeal that saw Moravian missionaries traveling to the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, spreading the message of Jesus across the globe.
Zinzendorf's passion was simple: "I have one passion; it is Jesus, Jesus only." His legacy lives on in the countless lives transformed by the Moravian missionaries who followed in his footsteps. The revival at Herrnhut demonstrated that when Jesus is at the center, unity, love, and a deep sense of purpose follow.
