Steve Porter is one who studies out past moves in history to see what we can glean from in our present time.
In his recent article, he writes about Abel Clary and his powerful ministry of prayer.
Do you think your prayers aren't making a difference, OR are you wanting to increase your prayer life in this Kairos time with God?
You'll want to read this recent article from Steve Porter and find out how you, too, can be a champion of prayer in this generation. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
History of Abel Clary
The late-summer, early morning sun was just sneaking over the horizon when I climbed into my Nissan to make the much anticipated, two-hour journey from Rochester, New York to the Adams Rural Cemetery located in Adams, New York to do research for my book. The town of Adams is located in Jefferson County, south of Watertown, and was named after President John Adams.
Ironically, Charles Finney had roots in Adams when he joined the congregation of George Washington Gale and became director of the church choir. After a dramatic conversion to the Lord and baptism into the Holy Spirit he left his legal practice to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
However, when you study the names of well-known citizens connected with the town of Adams there is a glaring absence of one notable name: the Rev. Abel B. Clary.
Try as I might, I couldn't dig up much information on the great man of God, but I knew I had to give honor to this amazing man of prayer and his special relationship with Father Daniel Nash. Little is known about the details of the personal life of Daniel Nash, but even less is known about Abel Clary.
Here is what we do know: Rev. Abel B. Clary was born in 1796, in Colrain, Mass., to Abel Clary Sr. and Dolly Baker Clary. (Some sources suggest that he was born in Conway, Mass., several miles from Colrain.)
He died January 1, 1833, at the young age of thirty-seven, just some years shy of the end of the Second Great Awakening. He was buried off of South Main Street in the Adams Rural Cemetery, Adams, Jefferson County, New York. (Photo via Steve Porter)
We know his father and mother outlived him. His father, Abel Clary Sr., was born in 1763 and passed away at the mature age of ninety on September 20, 1853. His mother, Dolly Clary, was born in 1767 and passed away on July 29, 1843 at the age of seventy-six or seventy-seven. Both of his parents were also buried at the Adams Rural Cemetery, Adams, Jefferson County, New York.
I am sure his parents were deeply grieved to have their son die before them. I believe to lose a child is the very worst pain a parent can face. I felt so compassionate toward Abel Sr. who lost his son and wife before his own death.
From my research I could find no records of marriage or children the Rev. Abel B. Clary left behind, so there's a good chance he never married.
Partnership in Prayer
We know that he had an amazing relationship with Father Nash as they combined their passion for souls; these two dear men of God were the chief forerunners for Evangelist Charles Finney.
Indeed, Nash and Clary would quietly enter a town before services even began, rent whatever space they could afford, enlist the help of other like-minded Believers and gather to pray for endless hours, covering the upcoming evangelistic services. They fasted and prayed before, during and after the services ended for Heaven to open and the Holy Spirit's presence to invade Earth as never before, bringing men to their knees in humble repentance.
They were desperate for souls to be saved from eternal Hell, and their fervent prayers actually birthed a great awakening that, in the end, turned their world upside down. On their knees, they prayed until the damp, dark prayer cellars were aflame with the very fire of the Holy Spirit.
Leonard Ravenhill tells the following story in great detail...(continue reading)
