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John Knox
John Knox
(c. 1510-1572)
Prayer for a Nation’s Sinful Leaders
“. . . how fearful and terrible it is to fall into his hands without hope of mercy; and what is that his unspeakable mercy which yet again he offers unto you; and that it may please his eternal goodness to endue you with such wisdom, prudence, and fortitude, that seeing his good pleasure in his word revealed, without all fear you may follow the same.”
—John Knox
More Online Resources
Wikipedia Biography and Links
Works by John Knox
John Knox: Praying pastor changes nations
John Knox, founder of the Presbyterian Church, was born in Scotland in a time when Christian leaders preached at the risk of their lives. He was a follower of George Wishart who was martyred in 1546.
At one time Knox was captured by the French and forced to serve as a galley slave until he was freed by the pro-Protestant English King Edward VI.
With the Catholic Queen Mary Tudor (“Bloody Mary”) on the throne of England, and Mary Guise on the throne of Scotland, Knox fled to Geneva, Switzerland, joining others studying under John Calvin.
Knox embraced Calvin’s teachings of the “reformed” movement and pastored an English/Scottish church. He spread the movement to Scotland primarily through letters until it was time to return.
Highlights of his far-reaching influence
John Knox, founder of the Presbyterian Church, was born in Scotland in a time when Christian leaders preached at the risk of their lives. He was a follower of George Wishart who was martyred in 1546.
At one time Knox was captured by the French and forced to serve as a galley slave until he was freed by the pro-Protestant English King Edward VI.
With the Catholic Queen Mary Tudor (“Bloody Mary”) on the throne of England, and Mary Guise on the throne of Scotland, Knox fled to Geneva, Switzerland, joining others studying under John Calvin.
Knox embraced Calvin’s teachings of the “reformed” movement and pastored an English/Scottish church. He spread the movement to Scotland primarily through letters until it was time to return.
Highlights of his far-reaching influence
- Returned to Scotland in 1559 as a leader of the Protestant rebellion against the French-Catholic regent of Scotland, Mary of Guise. She died suddenly in 1560.
- Mary’s daughter, Mary Queen of Scots, took the throne, but was unpopular. She fled to England, where Elizabeth I placed her under house arrest, then eventually had her executed.
- America’s representative form of government in the U. S. Constitution (1789) and the constitutions of many states was inspired by the reformed teachings of Knox and Calvin.
(c) Wellington Boone
Stories about John Knox
Mary Queen of Scots reportedly said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”
During the lifetime of Pastor John Knox, many Christians and members of royalty were put to death. Knox managed to survive many close escapes, but Mary Queen of Scots, who feared his prayers, was eventually executed by her rival, Elizabeth I of England. Knox prayed for God’s mercy on the nations’ rulers for all of the killing and persecution, calling the rulers to repentance.
Mary Queen of Scots reportedly said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”
During the lifetime of Pastor John Knox, many Christians and members of royalty were put to death. Knox managed to survive many close escapes, but Mary Queen of Scots, who feared his prayers, was eventually executed by her rival, Elizabeth I of England. Knox prayed for God’s mercy on the nations’ rulers for all of the killing and persecution, calling the rulers to repentance.
