Full of the Power of Prayer: Daniel Nash

Charles Finney is a name you may be familiar with.  He is known as the leading revivalist of the nineteenth century and is often referred to as “The Father of Modern Revivalism.” Over half a million salvations have been attributed to His ministry.

In comparison, very few people are familiar with the name Daniel Nash, despite the fact that much of Finney’s success in ministry resulted from the influence of this powerful man of prayer.  Nash’s role was key.  Weeks before Finney would travel to a certain area to preach the Gospel, Nash would go on ahead of Him, preparing the area to receive the Word of God.  Nash would continue in prayer during the meetings.  Finney said of Nash “He was full of the power of prayer.”

Prayer laid the foundation for this dynamic duo and their powerful evangelistic ministry.  In a letter, Nash wrote, “Our highest ambition was to go where there was neither a minister or reformation and try to look up the lost sheep, for whom no man cared.  We began and the Lord prospered.”  This resonates with me, as I remember the words of Jesus, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV).

As I mentioned in a previous post, lately, the burden to pray has rested heavily on my shoulders.  In a span of one week, I have attended two worship services that have erupted into fervent prayer meetings for family members and friends who do not know Jesus or who do but have walked away from the faith.  Reading up on Nash, I was amazed to read what Finney said of him:

“I was acquainted with an individual who used to keep a list of persons for whom he was especially concerned; and I have had the opportunity to know a multitude of persons, for whom he became thus interested, who were immediately converted.  I have seen him pray for persons on his list when he was literally in an agony for them; and have sometimes known him call on some person to help him pray for such a one.  I have known his mind to fasten thus on an individual of hardened, abandoned character, and who could not be reached in an ordinary way.”

Prior to reading this, for the last month, I have prayed over a list of people daily.  At times, I have literally cried over my list, feeling an overwhelming sense of compassion for these people that I adore.  I know that this is something that God is doing in me and I am aware that a Spirit of fervent prayer is spreading throughout the church.  I heard it said by Corey Russell, a well-known leader from IHOP Kansas City, that the Lord has impressed upon him that for every voice of awakening there will be seven voices of intercession that He raises up.

I am more than happy to one of those voices of intercession.  Let’s stand together in the place of prayer.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

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    1. Please pray for a 17 year old girl from our Church who was knocked down by a car on Monday 27th September. Her name is Grace and she and her prnaets and brother attend our Church she has been a baby-sitter for my three young children.Grace has been very badly injured in the accident, and her condition is critical. She has suffered very severe head injuries and is currently in an induced coma in hospital. The Doctors gave her prnaets very little hope, but 4 days on Grace is still with us and fighting hard for her life. She has started to show some positive signs some hand movements, a cough, etc, but it is likely to be a long haul, so please pray for a miracle.Please pray for calm and God’s peace for her prnaets and family. Her mother witnessed the accident so please pray that she remains strong.Please also pray for the doctors, nurses and other medical staff involved in Grace’s care and treatment.Many people are already praying for Grace her family and friends, our Church, other Churches locally and elsewhere, prayers are being posted on social networking sites such as Facebook, even strangers are praying when they hear about her.Please spread the word about Grace’s plight and ask as many people as possible to pray for Grace and her family. Please ask God for a miracle and to help Grace recover fully from the awful injuries she has received.

    1. Please pray for a 17 year old girl from our Church who was knocked down by a car on Monday 27th September. Her name is Grace and she and her prnaets and brother attend our Church she has been a baby-sitter for my three young children.Grace has been very badly injured in the accident, and her condition is critical. She has suffered very severe head injuries and is currently in an induced coma in hospital. The Doctors gave her prnaets very little hope, but 4 days on Grace is still with us and fighting hard for her life. She has started to show some positive signs some hand movements, a cough, etc, but it is likely to be a long haul, so please pray for a miracle.Please pray for calm and God’s peace for her prnaets and family. Her mother witnessed the accident so please pray that she remains strong.Please also pray for the doctors, nurses and other medical staff involved in Grace’s care and treatment.Many people are already praying for Grace her family and friends, our Church, other Churches locally and elsewhere, prayers are being posted on social networking sites such as Facebook, even strangers are praying when they hear about her.Please spread the word about Grace’s plight and ask as many people as possible to pray for Grace and her family. Please ask God for a miracle and to help Grace recover fully from the awful injuries she has received.

  1. My husband was deisgaond with esophageal cancer in April. He has undergone chemo and radiation therapy. Through this, he has found a true relationship with our Lord Jesus and not just a mental knowledge. For that I am thankful. God has had him in the palm of his hand and he has tolerated this treatment with little side effects although this has not been easy. His last PET scan showed no hot spots or active cancer but it is still recommended that he have surgery to remove his esophagus. He is scared to death despite his faith and prayers. Our hope is that God would perform a healing miracle so that the surgery and life style change would not be necessary. If he should allow this surgery to be performed, we are standing in faith that all will be well and he will be cured. My husband is 58.Due to this disease, my husband was forced to retire; thankfully, he has been approved for disability. These payments will not begin until December and we have taken measures to reduce our financial load. So far, God has blessed us and provided but by my eyes and finite mind, this money will not last past another month or two. I feel maybe it would be best to sell our house, horses, and goats and downsize to a more affordable dwelling which requires less upkeep, time and would allow us more financial stability. I have a high pressure job but thankfully, understanding cohorts have been supportive and tolerant of my absences when necessary. The pressure I feel at this time is overwhelming and I feel myself succumbing at times into a place of just let me hide in a corner and let the world leave me alone. I have asked Jesus to guide me, strengthen me and show me the best course of action and to bless that action and give me the strength to do what I need to do. Please God, help us.In Jesus name.

  2. My husband was deisgaond with esophageal cancer in April. He has undergone chemo and radiation therapy. Through this, he has found a true relationship with our Lord Jesus and not just a mental knowledge. For that I am thankful. God has had him in the palm of his hand and he has tolerated this treatment with little side effects although this has not been easy. His last PET scan showed no hot spots or active cancer but it is still recommended that he have surgery to remove his esophagus. He is scared to death despite his faith and prayers. Our hope is that God would perform a healing miracle so that the surgery and life style change would not be necessary. If he should allow this surgery to be performed, we are standing in faith that all will be well and he will be cured. My husband is 58.Due to this disease, my husband was forced to retire; thankfully, he has been approved for disability. These payments will not begin until December and we have taken measures to reduce our financial load. So far, God has blessed us and provided but by my eyes and finite mind, this money will not last past another month or two. I feel maybe it would be best to sell our house, horses, and goats and downsize to a more affordable dwelling which requires less upkeep, time and would allow us more financial stability. I have a high pressure job but thankfully, understanding cohorts have been supportive and tolerant of my absences when necessary. The pressure I feel at this time is overwhelming and I feel myself succumbing at times into a place of just let me hide in a corner and let the world leave me alone. I have asked Jesus to guide me, strengthen me and show me the best course of action and to bless that action and give me the strength to do what I need to do. Please God, help us.In Jesus name.