Zilpha Elaw, 1790–1873

Zilpha Elaw, 1790–1873

Preacher

Zilpha was born into a free, devoutly Christian family in Pennsylvania in 1790. She met God as a young teenager, and something was sparked in her. She was transformed in the secret place as His Word went down deep into her spirit, and overcame the inner turmoil and seemingly insurmountable obstacles of being a black female in the South, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and boldness, going on to preach with great power.

Her preaching took her to many states in the Northeastern U.S., and even eventually through the South, despite the very real danger of being arrested and forced into slavery there. She preached at poor black congregations, wealthy white chapels, and everything in between. Many people were saved under her ministry, and more than one was healed.

Two primary factors Zilpha had feared would hinder her preaching—namely, being black and being female—were many times what drew people to hear her. They came initially due to curiosity, but soon were genuinely convicted and hungry to hear more. Some came expressly to mock and threaten her, but found themselves weeping and asking her to pray for them.

Zilpha's story teaches us that it's not our position, skill level, or ability to be charismatic and charming that makes us preachers of the Gospel. It's hiding in the secret place and allowing His Word to deposit in our hearts, becoming a part of who we are, that eventually overflows to bring life to others.

Text source: International House of Prayer, The Malachi Project – see original post and video here