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Charles Finney: "Take consistent ground in politics"
"Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics."
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Kingdom Friend,
Thank you for agreeing in prayer! This week, we are inspired by Charles Finney. We pray for sky-blue revival in America and that Christians will realize their calling to vote and influence American political life.
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Charles Finney: “Take consistent ground in politics”
The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them…. Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter. But the time has come when they must act differently…. Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it — and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course they Christians take in politics.
Charles Finney (1792-1875) was an attorney-turned-revivalist and the leading figure of the Second Great Awakening in America (from about 1795 to 1835). The Awakening led to the founding of colleges and seminaries, mission organizations, and societies which transformed culture and society.
Finney became a teacher and 3rd president (1851-1866) of Oberlin College in Oberlin Ohio. Oberlin College became a station on the “Underground Railroad” to help escaped slaves reach freedom in the American North or Canada.
From 1837 to 1872, Charles Finney led the First Congregational Church, which became renowned as the largest church west of the Alleghenies. Under his leadership, the church grew to accommodate 1,800 people, making it a significant spiritual hub in the region.
He said of his conversion experience:
"The Holy Spirit … seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves of liquid love, for I could not express it in any other way."
See a print of the “Oberlin Holiness Tent” with it’s famous banner on Tappan Square, Oberlin below. 👇️
Pray American DNA: “Take consistent ground in politics.”
We can draw on America's founding prayers, covenants, documents, and early experiences as "prayer architecture" for today. Adapt the prayer language below to your voice as the Holy Spirit guides you.
“The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them.”
The first time I heard this strong part of Finney’s statement, it shook me and I wondered about it.
But consider the words of Jesus: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people” (Matthew 5.13 NASB).
🎧️ Feel free to adapt the prayer language below to suit your own voice as the Holy Spirit guides you. You can also listen to this audio for inspiration and to pray along with me online.
Draw prayer inspiration from the life and work of Charles Finney …
⭐️ Sky-blue conversions. Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask for sky-blue conversions to Christ and revival across America.
⭐️ Calling to vote. Holy Spirit, bring a convincing to every Christian about their calling to vote and participate in the political process in America.
⭐️ Blessing or curse. God, we acknowledge that you see everything we do in politics — and that we will give an account. We choose life and not the curse in our nation.
Father, we believe in our heart that we have received, and we count it done. We are grateful. Amen.
To do:
✅ Follow through: Take your phone or tablet into your prayer space and pull up this email. Let’s make every word count!
✅ Prayer groups: Engage agreement prayer with partners or in your prayer group. Increased leverage.
✅ We value people of prayer: Share this newsletter with others. We’re joining with many others in a rising American Prayer Tide!
Current American prayer pulse
💓 Pray for the integrity of national, state, and local elections. Insist in faith that the election will occur this fall and that nothing will stop it. Stand in faith against political violence.
💓 Even now, pray that God will sway the judgment of the American body politic and that his design will be realized on American soil as it is in heaven.
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Brian Del Turco
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The Oberlin Holiness Tent, with its famous banner and overflow crowds.
In the early days of Oberlin, Ohio, before a church could be established, Charles Finney took an innovative approach. With no church building available, he successfully gathered donations to purchase a large tent which seated 3,000. Each Sunday, this tent was erected in the town square, serving as a temporary and powerful place of worship. Beyond its weekly use, the tent was also taken to neighboring areas to conduct extended services. A strong sense of community and faith were created until a permanent church could be built.