Susan Hill - Dangerous Prayers: 50 Powerful Prayers That Changed the World

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R ichard Allen is widely recognized as the denominational founder of the African Methodist Episcopal ( AME ) Church, the first independent black denomination.

Allen was born into slavery in Philadelphia in 1760. He became a Christian when he was seventeen and began preaching on his plantation and at local Methodist churches whenever he had the opportunity. In time, his master became a Christian and allowed Allen to purchase his freedom.

In 1781, Allen began circuit preaching in Delaware and the surrounding states. Five years later, he returned to Philadelphia and became a member at St. Georges Methodist Church. His leadership attracted other African Americans to the church, and racial tensions escalated. In 1786, white and black people often worshipped together, but blacks were forced into segregated seating and inconvenient service times.

Allen realized the African American community needed its own house of worship. Though he had no desire to leave the Methodist Church, and although denominational leaders resisted, he founded the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Francis Asbury dedicated the building and ordained Allen as a deacon.

Despite attempts by white Methodist leaders to keep Allens congregation and property under their jurisdiction, in 1816, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the church belonged to Allen and his congregants. Later that year, the AME became a recognized denomination, and Allen was ordained as an elder and bishop, becoming the first African American to hold the office in the United States. The denomination grew rapidly and today has more than two million members.

O, precious blood of my dear Redeemer! O, gaping wounds of my crucified Savior! Who can contemplate the sufferings of God incarnate, and not raise his hope, and not put his trust in Him? What, though my body be crumbled into dust, and that dust blown over the face of the earth, yet I undoubtedly know my Redeemer lives, and shall raise me up at the last day; whether I am comforted or left desolate; whether I enjoy peace or am afflicted with temptations; whether I am healthful or sickly, succored or abandoned by the good things of this life, I will always hope in Thee, O, my chiefest, infinite good.

R ICHARD A LLEN

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A ugustine was an early Christian theologian and philosopher whose writings impacted the development of Western Christianity and philosophy. Augustine was an unlikely scholar. At age seventeen, when he left his small North African town for school in Carthage, he was considered an underachiever who was more interested in wayward living than schoolwork. But Augustine threw himself into his studies and became known for his intellectual curiosity. By the time he completed his studies, hed forsaken his mothers Christian faith, although she continued to pray for his conversion.

After teaching for a season, Augustine entered a time of personal struggle and a shift in philosophies. He was wrestling with the concept of personal sin when he read the writing of the apostle Paul in Romans 13:1314. Augustine later wrote, No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of this sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away.

Following his conversion, Augustine resigned from his professorship. In 391, Augustine arrived in Hippo, intending to set up a monastery. Instead, against his desire, he was made a priest. Five years later, he became the bishop of Hippo.

Augustine was tasked with the job of defending Christianity against allegations that it had caused the Roman Empires downfall by shifting eyes away from Roman gods. Augustines response to the criticism came in a body of written work. His most important writings are The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Confessions. Augustine died from fever at age seventy-six, but his work survived, and his theology became foundational as the early church was built.

Listen to my supplication, Master, so that my soul doesnt stagger under Your instruction, so that I dont stumble in testifying to Your mercies, by which You tore me away from all my ruinous pathways. Thus Youll grow sweet to me beyond all that led me wrong, in my willingness to follow it. Thus Ill love You most mightily, and grasp Your hand with all the strength of my inmost being. Thus Youll tear me away from every trial, clear to the end.