Keeping His Spirit Fed and Free
In eighteenth-century Europe, Wittenberg, Saxony, was the most famous city of the Protestant faith. There, in 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic priest and professor at Wittenberg University, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the wooden door of Castle Church. Since that time, Wittenberg had served as the seat of the Lutheran Church; but, when Zinzendorf arrived at the university two centuries later, there was little evidence left of Martin Luther’s fiery passion for Christ. The Lutheran Church and Wittenberg University had become dry and formal in their theology.
A Dead Church, a Living Spirit
It is a historical observation that many places of revival are dead and dull by the time the third generation comes along. For Ludwig, the church and the university seemed as dead as a doormail! At Wittenberg, Ludwig’s uncle, Count Otto von Zinzendorf, insisted that he study the law and learn how to fence and dance to prepare for service in the royal court. “My uncle was obsessed to change my (Pietist) heart and put a different head on my body,” Ludwig later proclaimed.
Determined Pursuit of Christ
In spite of the worldliness and religious formalism that had crept into the university, Ludwig was determined to pursue Christ – “I commune with the Friend of my heart, the ever-present Saviour, daily. I am spending a whole hour from six to seven in the morning, as well as eight to nine in the evening in prayer.” Ludwig spent entire nights praying, and full days fasting before the Lord as well; nothing would deter him from his passion for Jesus! This prayer time was the way he kept his spirit fresh.
A Lesson for Today
Likewise, our Christian walk must consist of more than a one-time prayer; we must keep our vital relationship with Christ fresh and alive, as Zinzendorf did.
To be continued…
Tale Tuesday 102
Date: 29th October, 2024
Title: : COUNT NIKOLAUS LUDWIG VON ZINZENDORF (Part 9)
Source: God’s generals- The Missionaries
Author: Roberts Liardon
Previous post
Next post
