When one of the most severe epidemics in American history hit Philadelphia, the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 which killed 10% of the population, Francis Asbury appointed September 10 to be observed as a day of humble prayer. While those who could afford to do so were fleeing Philadelphia, he arrived a month after the initial outbreak. He preached to a large, weeping congregation from 1 Kings 8:37–40:
When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple—then hear from heave, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers.
The medical community of that day debated the cause of yellow fever. Some claimed it originated from poisonous vapor rising from the marshes. Others believed it spawned from stagnant water which bred mosquitoes or from filthy living conditions. Others argued that it was imported from undesirable migrants, especially from Haiti. The solutions included cleaning the streets, ventilating homes, bleeding, mercury-induced purging, or deporting immigrants. We now know that yellow fever is spread by a particular type of mosquito which breeds even in the cleanest water.
Without discounting all of the good intentions of the medical community, we must simply ask—did corporate prayer and repentance play any role in alleviating this human suffering? If the faith community believes in the power of prayer, then we must pray.
If God has all knowledge, then he knows our plight. If he is sovereign, then he has the power to intervene. And if he is love, then he cares enough to act. In the mystery of synergism, God may simply be waiting on us to acknowledge him and seek his face.
Bates, Anna Louise. “‘Give Glory to God Before He Causes Darkness’: Methodists and Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, 1793–1798.” Methodist History 58:3 (April 2020) 133–151.