India on Fire

India on Fire

"Repent…that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19-20

On this day, June 29, in the Year of our Lord 1905, the Holy Spirit poured out the manifest presence of Christ on a group of girls in western India. The girls responded with weeping, confession of sin, and prayers to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Many Holy Spirit manifestations followed, including visions, dreams, a spirit of prayer, shaking and holy trembling. Many girls at the mission boarding school spent hours weeping, praying with outstretched arms, and repenting under profound conviction of sin. At times, they erupted in intercessory prayer that sounded like the roar of many waters, and like rolling thunder. The girls would dance for joy after receiving forgiveness of sins. They broke out in spontaneous tongues, speaking in other languages. Several of the girls were bitten by cobra snakes and yet none of them died. Every one of them were reported healed.

Pandita Ramabai, a brilliant, well-known Hindu social reformer, had been wonderfully converted years earlier. In the years that followed, she spent much time fasting and praying and mobilizing prayer for India. Twelve hundred of her girls received Christ and were baptized on this day. Not only did a large number of girls receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, other girls who were watching from a distance saw a vision of fire engulfing and surrounding them. One of the other girls actually ran across the room and grabbed a pail of water to throw on the group, only to discover that the fire that was visible was not literal fire.

The next day when the girls met again, they began confessing sin, weeping, and praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The classes at the Mukti Industrial School were suspended. Several young girls were so gripped by the Holy Spirit that they prayed for hours and hours. Their face literally shined with a heavenly light. God revealed the depth of sin to them.

Father God, revive Your church in India. Do it again today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III  
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Posted in
Tagged with

No Comments