Touching heaven and changing earth ∙
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16
James 5:17-18
17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!
18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain, and the earth began to yield its crops.
Finney: Revivalist and Prayer Warrior
Charles Grandison Finney was born on August 29, 1792, in Warren, Connecticut, and grew up on a farm with eight siblings. At the age of 29, while studying law, Finney became deeply concerned about the state of his soul. On October 10, 1821, he retreated to the woods near his home to come to terms with God. That night, he experienced a dramatic conversion, describing it as feeling “waves of liquid love throughout his body.”
Finney: A Leader of the Second Great Awakening
Charles Finney was no ordinary minister. He went far above and beyond. He became one of American history’s most influential (and controversial) revivalists. He became a central figure in the Second Great Awakening, a revival movement that swept across the United States. Known for his passionate preaching and innovative methods, Finney is credited with converting an estimated 500,000 people (Christianity Today). His influence extended far beyond the pulpit, shaping the nation’s spiritual landscape.
Finney’s Belief in the Power of Prayer
Finney was a man of deep prayer and conviction, believing that prayer was the key to revival and spiritual transformation. He emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in prayer, as well as the necessity of humility and obedience to God. Finney believed in the power of prayer and in trusting God to work in His time.
Here are some of his most well-known statements on prayer, revival, and Christian living:
- On Prayer
- “Prevailing prayer is that which secures an answer. Saying prayers is not offering prevailing prayer. Prevailing prayer does not depend so much on quantity as on quality.”
- “Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians than praying together. They never love one another so well as when they witness the outpouring of each other’s hearts in prayer.”
- On Revival
- “If the presence of God is in the church, the church will draw the world in. If the presence of God is not in the church, the world will draw the church out.”
- “Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one’s will to God in deep humility.”
- “A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.”
- On Evangelism and Christian Living
- “There can be no higher enjoyment found in this world than is found in pulling souls out of the fire and bringing them to Christ.”
- “When you come back to God for pardon and salvation, come with all you have to lay all at his feet. Come with your body to offer it as a living sacrifice upon His altar. Come with your soul and all its powers, and yield them in willing consecration to your God and Saviour.”
REFLECT & PRAY
Charles Finney’s life and teachings highlight the power of prayer and the importance of fully surrendering to God. As Leonard Ravenhill once said, “No child of the King is greater than their prayer life. The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both born in and maintained by prayer.”
Father, how I desire to touch heaven and change earth. Teach me and strengthen me to be a person of prayer and passion like Elijah. May I hear Your voice clearly and follow Your direction faithfully.
INSIGHT
The Power of Effective Prayer
Insight from James 5:16, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
In the original Greek, the word translated as “effective” is energoumen, which can also be translated as “energized.” The English word “energy” is derived from this root. This means that successful prayer is not passive or lifeless; it is energized prayer, full of purpose and power.
The Test of Prayer: Results
Effectual prayer is prayer that accomplishes something. More specifically, it brings about the will of the Father on earth. It’s not about our personal desires or ambitions; it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s purposes.
Finney exemplified effective prayer, reaching heaven and transforming earth.
Joining the Father’s Work
The Father is always at work and invites us to join Him, but this isn’t about our own dreams or plans. The kingdom of God is a theocracy, not a democracy. When called, we should set aside our self-centered aspirations and align with His agenda. As Henry Blackaby explains, “When the Father reveals to you where He is working, that becomes His invitation to join Him in His activity.”
This shift, from being self-centered to God-centered, is the foundation of effective prayer.
The Science of Effective Prayer
Effective prayer is not random or aimless. It is a science with principles that can be learned and applied. At its core, effective prayer is about praying the Father’s will into existence. To pray effectively, we must:
- Discern the Father’s will: Understand what God intends to achieve.
- Align with His purpose: Pray for the fulfillment of His plan.
Elijah: A Model of Effective Prayer
James 5:17 reminds us, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.”
What is the difference between Elijah and us? The answer is simple: Nothing! Elijah was an ordinary man, but he prayed extraordinary prayers because he knew the Father’s plan. He heard God’s voice and prayed according to His instructions.
Elijah’s Example in Scripture
The Father told Elijah what to pray to stop the rain, 1 Kings 17:1,2, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, the God I serve, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word! The word of the LORD came to him, saying . . .”
The Lord told Elijah, how to make it rain, 1 Kings 18:1, “Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, ‘Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.’”
Elijah’s task was simple: to pray what he was told into existence. He did not guess or hope; he prayed with precision because he was aligned with God’s will.
Prayer: A Partnership with God – Not a Shot in the Dark
Prayer is not a random act or a hopeful gamble. As A.W. Tozer explains: “Praying is working with God to fulfill His divine plan.”It is a partnership with the Creator, where we align our hearts and voices with His purposes.
Effective Prayer is a Skill
Any child of the King can learn the skill of effective prayer. It requires practice, discipline, and a heart that is fully surrendered to God’s will. However, prayer can also be one of the most challenging tasks we face. As humans, we often struggle with the temptation to neglect it. Yet, it is through prayer that we connect with heaven and bring about change on earth.
A Call to Action
The Father invites us to participate in His work through prayer. Are we willing to set aside our own plans and align with His? Are we prepared to pray with energy, purpose, and precision?
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 