Power of Pastors' Prayers Evident in Saved, Recommitted Lives

Nov 14, 2002 03:00 AM EST

A small town in Pennsylvania is experiencing an old-fashioned revival after years of heartfelt prayer. Last week, author and Presbyterian minister
blank¡±>Peter Marshall
conducted a five-day crusade in Franklin, Pennsylvania. More than 20 churches sponsored the crusade, and several of the meetings were held in local public school gymnasiums. During the meetings, more than a thousand people received Christ as Savior and many more recommitted their lives to Christ.

Crusade organizers had spearheaded a two-year period of prayer leading up to the meetings. Marshall says prayer is the key to any true revival.

"The pastors have met together to pray together for months -- and that is so critically important," he says. "When the pastors in an area get down on their knees together and begin to seek God, God moves and responds to this."

Christians in Franklin are being encouraged to continue praying after the crusade. Marshall says although the meetings are over, revival does not have to end.

"What I am anticipating is that in the months to come, God really is going to bring revival here," he says. "I think the hearts of the people in this area are certainly open for it. The fervency with which they respond in prayer and in worship -- but most of all, the commitment of the leaders here in this area to continue to beseech God for revival -- makes me think that it very well may happen."

Marshall is the son of the late Dr. Peter Marshall, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and chaplain of the U.S. Senate. The elder Marshall was known for calling Christians in America back to the basics of faith.

By Allie Martin