While one normally thinks of such conviction leading to the convicted person's loss of appetite or desire to sleep, in Finney's ministry people were even more powerfully seized by the Spirit. (Google image, Benny Hinn's Falling under the Holy Spirit).
This was not brought about by conscious use of psychology or any form of manipulation of emotions. Rather, it seemed the direct effect of the Spirit upon people, usually after hearing Finney speak or pray.
Often people lost strength to sit, stand, or even to speak aloud for a time. Sometimes they collapsed on the floor; at other times they were suddenly smitten off their chairs. At times strong men became so weak they had to be helped home by friends.
Often the Spirit's conviction pierced the people with intense inner pain and remorse for their sins and resistance to God. Finney described it frequently in words like this:
"The work was with such power that even a few words of
conversation would make the stoutest men writhe in their
seats, as if a sword had been thrust into their hearts . . .
the pain that it produced when searchingly presented in
a few words of conversation would create a distress that
seemed unendurable."
While Finney preached for some months in Philadelphia in 1829 God began to work among lumbermen who brought their logs down the Delaware River to sell. Many found God and then went back up the river to their places and began praying for the salvation of others.
Many instances were reported of two or three lumberman living alone in little shanties who had attended no meeting and knew almost nothing of God. They would be suddenly convicted in their shanties, go out and ask other lumbermen what to do, and then be wonderfully save. More than 5,000 people over an eighty-mile range were converted in this way.
2. Power was manifested in tremendous prayer burdens. Finney was converted while praying in the woods. That evening as he sat by a fire the Spirit baptized him in a mighty way and wave after wave of love swept over his soul.
Shortly, Finney began the habit of rising long before daylight to pray. At times others joined him in those prayer seasons. Often converts were gripped with a tremendous zeal for prayer.
In his later ministry two ministers at times set aside almost all activity and gave themselves to prayer for months for Finney's ministry.
As a young Christian, Finney often had such precious seasons of communion with God that, he said, could not he described in words. He had frequent days of fasting, a practice which characterized his ministry throughout his life.
At times God's power burdened him so deeply for others that he literally groaned deeply and loudly. Throughout his life-long ministry he often mentioned giving himself to intense prayer and fasting.
Often tremendous prayer burdens came upon the new converts. Sometimes they prayed whole nights until they were physically exhausted with the burden for the salvation of the unsaved.
Prayer meetings multiplied. At times several converts would agree in prevailing prayer for the salvation of one unsaved person after another, and would see many brought to the Lord.
Finney himself felt at times a tremendous spirit of importunity and daring faith. It seemed to him that he was enabled to pray without ceasing. He testified that God's power gripped him with both prayer agony and faith.
He spoke of being able to "put on the harness for a mighty conflict with the powers of darkness" for an outpouring of the Spirit. Repeatedly he felt the power of the Spirit coming on him for intercession.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
(pp. 65 - 67) ZondervanPublishingHouse
Pour payer today-
Father, it is a wonder to us that so much praying is really what it takes to draw Your Spirit to His designed work; to be manifested among us!
There's no doubt that if several of the intercessors in each church would gather on a regular basis, Your Spirit's power would also manifest in our gatherings.
We ask for guidance in this request; You would so impress our leaders, that they would sense the importance of encouraging this to take place, and even to join them.
If you'd be interested in viewing the following account of what happens when the power of God falls, I invite you to take the time to be blessed by it. Be prayerfully open to let God speak to you through it.
From Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk: Be diligent to guard your marriage. Excellent advice!
You're invited to check out my present 7 listed healing posts.
Today's Healing Thoughts and Prayers update:
Today's question-
The moon reflects only a portion of the sun; is that how we reflect Jesus?
Our lives need to be anchored in Christ Jesus so we will attractively reflect His goodness and grace to others. How we respond to others' ill will, can demonstrate God's effect on our lives. Our struggles can become avenues to grow in grace. We need to be the best in our work ethics, regardless of what work we find ourselves in. Let what God has done for you reflect Him to those around you.
Upcoming posts-
Pour payer today-
There's no doubt that if several of the intercessors in each church would gather on a regular basis, Your Spirit's power would also manifest in our gatherings.
We ask for guidance in this request; You would so impress our leaders, that they would sense the importance of encouraging this to take place, and even to join them.
Move on each of us to pray for folks we know who are effective pray-ers, and who would be interested in this ministry of gathering together with others regularly to pray for this kind of movement manifestation among us.
Help us to actually make a list of folks we know to pray for, to initiate the prayer times together for more power to be evidenced in our churches.
We ask this in Jesus' name, for Your glory and praise, Father. Amen.
If you'd be interested in viewing the following account of what happens when the power of God falls, I invite you to take the time to be blessed by it. Be prayerfully open to let God speak to you through it.
Benny Hinn - Heavy Anointing of the Holy Spirit
Excellent video!
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Today's Bible verses-
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works
than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father"
John 14:12 (KJV).
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever"
John 14:16 (KJV).
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
have said unto you" John 14:26 (KJV).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works
than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father"
John 14:12 (KJV).
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever"
John 14:16 (KJV).
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
have said unto you" John 14:26 (KJV).
You're invited to check out my present 7 listed healing posts.
These have been posted on my blog PAGES, Healing Thoughts and Prayers
It is my prayer that they'll be an encouragement to my readers;
one-a-day, possibly. Feel free to forward ones you believe will help others in their walk of faith.
Today's Healing Thoughts and Prayers update:
Today's question-
The moon reflects only a portion of the sun; is that how we reflect Jesus?
Our lives need to be anchored in Christ Jesus so we will attractively reflect His goodness and grace to others. How we respond to others' ill will, can demonstrate God's effect on our lives. Our struggles can become avenues to grow in grace. We need to be the best in our work ethics, regardless of what work we find ourselves in. Let what God has done for you reflect Him to those around you.
Upcoming posts-
#16 The Widespread Effect of Finney's Ministry
7th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
The Path Home
9th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#17 God's Power in the Ministry of Duncan Campbell
12th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#18 At Times God's Convicting Power Fell
14th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
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