Who Were the Moravians?
Source: Wikipedia
Have you ever heard of the Moravians? I remember when I first heard about this wild, intense, sold-out-for-Jesus group of individuals. My life was forever changed when I discovered just how much you could give for the sake of the Gospel!
The Moravians were an influential and committed group of Christians whose roots stretched back to the 15th-century Bohemian Reformation. Known formally as the Unitas Fratrum, or 'Unity of the Brethren,' these pioneers of Protestantism left a mark on history. As missionaries, intercessors, and doers of the word, we have so much to learn from the Moravians! Whether you're interested in religious history, prayer movements, or historic revivals, the Moravians offer a rich and awesome story.
Source: Thetravelingteam.org
Who Was Count Zinzendorf?
Source: Zinzendorf.com
Count Zinzendorf was a German missionary, theologian, and reformer of the Christian church. You’re probably wondering, “What do Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians have to do with each other?” Keep reading to hear the miraculous story!
During the 30 Years War, persecution, violence, and religious intolerance spread throughout central Europe. The 30 Years War was a mixed conflict that had its roots in religious disagreements between Protestants and Catholics, a power struggle between European nations, and territorial tensions in the land. Many lost their lives and because of this, the Moravians sought exile. At this time, they were led to a different land by a man named John Amos Comenius.
Years later, in the early 1700s, Comenius’ grandchildren were discovered past the border of Germany. They had established a village on the estate grounds of a generous noble named Count Nicloas Ludwig von Zinzendorf. This village was named Herrnhut. The word Herrnhut is German and it means “The Lord’s Watch” in English.
WHAT HAPPENED AT HERRNHUT?
Source: Rism.info
Prayer. Prayer. And so much more prayer! The Moravians were a group of Christians who were marked by the spirit of prayer. Their intercession would go on long hours at a time.
The Moravians even had a streak of unbroken, 24/7 prayer, that went faithfully around the clock for over 100 years. Let that sink in: they had steady, unwavering, consistent prayers being offered to the throne of God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for over 100 years. If you do the math, that’s continual, corporate prayer that didn’t stop for over 36,525 days! But the Moravians didn’t just stop at prayer.
The Moravians sent missionaries out, across the globe, from the village they’d created at Herrnhut. The Moravians were sent to St. Croix, St. Thomas, India, Greenland, Africa, and the American Colonies during the time of slavery. The Moravians were famous for going to the least of these based off of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40:
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. - Matthew 25:40 NIV
The Moravians befriended and took care of Native Americans and slaves in the American Colonies as well as the West Indies.
The Moravians are famous for stories of the Moravian Slaves, which were men who sold themselves into slavery to reach slaves right where they were. As the slave ships pulled away from the water at the docks, history records the Moravians chanting a famous phrase that Christians quote often today, “May the lamb that was slain receive the full reward of His suffering!”
Sources: Moravian.org
How Did the Moravians SETTLE IN America?
Source: Philadelphiaencyclopedia.org
Driven by their missionary heart and facing religious persecution, the Moravians expanded to America with planned communities that also served as missions bases and prayer centers, just like Herrnhut. Two of their most notable sites include Salem, North Carolina, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Moravians were driven by the charge of Acts 2 in their planned communities.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Moravian Falls & The Discovery of prayer mountain
When the Moravians arrived in North Carolina, they settled near Winston-Salem in the foothills. Their lifestyle of prayer, worship, and community living came with them. Moravianfalls.org tells their story in detail:
”In 1752, in the backwoods of North Carolina, the Moravians purchased a tract of almost 100,000 acres. The name of the tract became known as Wachovia. They continued a legacy of 24-hour prayer and worship centers that were started in Eastern Europe by their ancestors. Their prayer and missionary spirit still have an effect in the foothills of North Carolina, where today, many ministries have established their home bases.”
Fun Facts About the Moravians
The Moravians published the first ever Hymnal for corporate singing in 1501! It was a collection of songs in languages such as Polish, German, Bohemian, and Czech. You can read some of their songs by clicking HERE.
The Moravian Church published the first translation of the Bible in the Czech language. This Bible is called the Bible of Kralice.
John Amos Comenius was a part of the Moravian Church. John Amos Comenius is often called the father of modern education and was the first person to put pictures in a textbook!
Prophetic History OF Moravian Falls
To modern-day Christians, there is a holy prophetic swirl and rich spiritual history regarding Moravian Falls and Prayer Mountain. At face value, when you have a geographical location that has been saturated in prayer, intercession, worship, and thanksgiving, you can expect that Heaven would feel near! Many people record having angelic visitations and life-changing encounters with Jesus while spending time in Moravian Falls, North Carolina. Whether it’s heavenly portals or the environment of prayer, God is found by many in Moravian Falls.
According to Robert T. Bailey, the late prophet Bob Jones “prophesied that a prayer chapel is to be built on the ridge of Prayer Mountain and when that is accomplished the Glory of the Father God will fill this chapel to fellowship with His children.”
Each year, our Kingdom Encounters International team invites hungry Christians who want more of God to join us in Moravian Falls at Prayer Mountain to seek God, learn more about the Bible, experience the Holy Spirit, and get refreshed for the days ahead. Experience the glory of the Lord in the foothills of North Carolina where the Moravians you’ve read about sowed long hours in the place of prayer, worship, and intercession!
Join Us for our Moravian Falls Retreat at Prayer Mountain
You are invited to join us in Moravian Falls and experience the goodness of God at our Abundant Life Prayer Retreat from August 21st - 24th at Apple Hill Lodge in North Carolina. Click the button below to learn more about the retreat and to register today!
CONCLUSION
The Moravians are a testament to the transformative power of unwavering faith, prayer, and community. In our day and age, I long to see believers that are marked by relentless prayer, global missionary zeal, and a profound commitment to serving the marginalized. From the unbroken chain of intercession at Herrnhut to the spiritual atmosphere that permeates Prayer Mountain, the Moravians point to a life rooted in Christ. As I reflect on their history, I am stirred to see how Christians will give in to fervent prayer and action, ensuring that the Lamb who was slain will receive the full reward of His suffering.
ABOUT EVANGELIST CALEB WAMPLER
Evangelist Caleb Wampler is the founder and CEO of Kingdom Encounters International (KEI). While traveling to more than 30+ nations, Caleb has seen over 2,155,846 people come to Jesus through gospel outreaches in countries that are hostile to the gospel, witnessed incredible healings and miracles, and regularly experiences God's wonder. He is endorsed by Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, who is Reinhard Bonnke’s succesor.
