In James 5:10 we are exhorted to "take the prophets for
an example". A careful study of the "Holy Men of Old" can kindle both the
fires of self-sacrifice and prayerful devotion. However, prophetic examples are not
confined only to the pages of the Scriptures. Though often neglected, maligned and
forgotten, God's prophetic torches have always burned throughout the history of the
Church. One such burning prophet was Girolamo Savonarola. Through his tears, prayers
and passionate preaching, the seeds of reformation and revival took root in Italy.
Born in Ferrara, Italy, September 14, 1452, Savonarola was the third in a family of seven
children - five sons and two daughters. As a boy his devotion and fervor increased as he
spent many hours in prayer and fasting. At times he would kneel in church for many hours
engaged in earnest prayer. He was very contemplative, and his soul was deeply wounded by
the sin and worldliness he saw all around him. The luxury, splendor, and wealth displayed
by the rich in contrast with the awful poverty of the lowly peasants weighed heavily on
his tender heart. Italy was the prey of petty tyrants and wicked priests, and dukes and
popes who strived with each other for political power and control. These things brought
great sorrow to his young soul which was burning for holiness and truth. He talked little,
and kept to himself. He loved to wander in lonely places to sing or more often weep,
giving vent to the strong emotions which tore at his heart. "Prayer was his one great
solace, and his tears would often stain the altar steps, where he sought aid from heaven
against the vile and corrupt age".
One day, he saw a vision of the heavens opened, and all the future calamities of the
Church passed before his eyes. He then heard God's voice charging him to warn the people.
From that moment he was convinced of his prophetic calling, and he was suddenly filled
with a new unction and power. His preaching was now with a voice of thunder, and his
rebukes against sin were so terrific that the people who listened to him sometimes went
about the streets half-dazed, bewildered, and speechless. His listeners were often so
overcome with tears that the whole church echoed with the sounds of sobbing and weeping.
Workmen, poets and philosophers, all would burst into tears under his passionate
preaching.
Savonarola's zeal for prayer seemed to increase day by day. While engaged in prayer, he
would sometimes fall into a deep trance. Often he was so completely gripped by the power
of the Holy Spirit that he would be forced to retire to a secluded place. Some of his
biographers relate that on Christmas Eve, in the year 1486, Savonarola, while seated in
the pulpit, remained immovable for five hours, in a trance, and that his face seemed
illuminated to all in the church.
The influence of Savonarola eventually grew greater than ever. The people of Florence
abandoned their vile and worldly books. All prayed, went to church, and the rich gave
freely to the poor. Merchants restored ill-gotten gains. All the people forsook the
carnivals and vanities in which they had indulged, and made huge bonfires of their worldly
books, obscene pictures, and other things of the kind. The children marched from house to
house in a procession, singing hymns in the streets. Soon Savonarola's fearless sermons
aroused the anger of many, and especially of the corrupt pope and cardinals of the Roman
Catholic Church. He was then threatened, excommunicated and finally, in 1498, by express
order of pope Alexander VI, he was beaten, strangled and burned in the public square of
Florence, Italy.
The life of Savonarola exemplifies many precious qualities that our fainthearted and
distracted age so desperately needs. We are barren and deficient in prayer, patience,
purity and most importantly a sacrificial love for Jesus. Until we as the body of Christ
return to these holy principles, true reformation and revival will not be realized; Oh
Lord break our hearts and open our eyes!
References Used:
Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians by J. G. Lawson
Heroes of The Reformation by Richard Newton
From: A Revival Source Center