In this extract from my book 'God's Heart Cry for Revival', we take a look at the words of the great revivalist himself, Charles Finney. He had a very unique way of looking at revival and due to this outlook he secured powerful moves of the Holy Spirit everywhere he went. God honoured the ministry of this man of faith.
Revival, Not a Miracle
Charles Finney said, “A revival is no more a miracle than a crop of wheat. In any community, revival can be secured from Heaven when heroic souls enter the conflict determined to win or die – or if need be to win and die!” 4 Charles believed that when Christians are stirred in their spirits enough to do what is necessary to move God to bless us with a revival, that this is not a miracle. Charles said, “Revival is not dependant on a miracle in any sense. It is a result we can logically expect from the right use of God given means, as much as any other effect produced by applying tools and resources.” 5 He is saying that there are logical steps he would always take to secure a revival. He perfected these steps and always claimed revival wherever he went. If this was the case, it has always made me wonder why the Church doesn’t follow the same steps as Charles took. If you read his book, Lectures on Revival, then you will realise that establishing revival is a process or as Charles said, “a result we can logically expect from the right use of God given means.”
We Have the Authority
Charles said that revival is not a miracle. When I pray and get touched by God and as a result become excited in the things of God, I am in a personal revival but this is not a miracle. So what Charles is saying is that any of us, as Christians and citizens of the Kingdom of God, walking in the same rights that Christ has, has the power to pray and cause God to move and pour out His Spirit. It is up to us, His people, to apply the God given tools and resources effectively to initiate the revival.
Repentance All the Way
Much has been written against Charles Finney lately for the way he operated his salvation calls. He began to use altar calls due to the great number of souls convicted by the Holy Spirit who were coming to salvation. Just because modern movements use this same method to call souls out for salvation using a watered down unrepentant altar call, does not mean Charles did. Charles preached repentance all the way. Charles saw some of the greatest moves of God in history and has extensive knowledge in this area and he left us some magnificent books for securing revival. Any Christian who is determined enough to do what is required, could single-handedly promote a revival through prayer like few have ever been blessed to execute if we would work from his books.
Praying Hyde
John Hyde, also known as Praying Hyde, the revivalist of the Sialkot Revival of North India, knew this truth in relation to revival. In organising the Punjab Prayer-Union, the principles of this union were stated in the form of questions that I believe the universal Church today should put to their prayer teams. They were: "Are you praying for a quickening in your own life, in the life of your fellow-workers and in the Church? Are you longing for greater power of the Holy Spirit in your own life and work, and are you convinced that you cannot go on without this power? Will you pray that you may not be ashamed of Jesus? Do you believe that prayer is the great means for securing this spiritual awakening? Will you set apart one-half hour each day as soon after noon as possible to pray for this awakening and are you willing to pray till the awakening comes?" 6
The Challenge
We should challenge ourselves with some of these questions. John knew that those who would join his prayer union would have the right attitude and devotion to lay hold of God. Praying Hyde knew the God given means to promote a revival and executed them perfectly. This is what this whole book is about, the tools and resources to achieve revival. The knowledge to see the Holy Spirit poured out upon all flesh is with us, all we have to do is discern the truth, prioritise this truth and act on it with uncompromising resolve and fortitude. Then we can see Bible prophecy fulfilled by our own hands.
3 Charles Finney, How to Experience Revival (Whitaker House, 580 Pittsburgh St. Springdale, PA 15144) page 11
4 Francis McGaw, John Hyde, The Apostle of Prayer – Men of Faith Series (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House Publishers 1941) page 22
5 Finney, Charles, Lectures on Revival (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House Publishers 1941) page 13
In Christ
Robert Cartledge
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